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Shangri La Stories

Stories from the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design

Stories from the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design


When art becomes permanent

An abstract rusted steel sculpture in a triangular shape stands in the middle of a garden setting at Shangri La
Kamran Samimi, Ascendants, 2020-2021, CorTen™ Steel.

This artwork was once a part of the exhibition, Sanctuaries, by 2020 Artist-in-Residence, Kamran Samimi. After his residency ended, the largest sculpture in the Ascendants series made of CorTen™ steel was installed in Shangri La's Moon Garden.

It was a true collaboration between Shangri La's Conservation and Operations teams to permanently install the artwork that was originally designed to stand in the museum's Central Courtyard.

Kamran Samimi, Ascendants, 2020-2021
CorTen™ Steel, Earpod wood, Plexiglas®, Concrete, Monkeypod wood, Basalt,  Aluminium, Marble, Granite