The Other – A Happening by Saba Raissian On Christmas Day at MoMA, Saba Raissian presented The Other, a symbolic performance that explored the boundaries between self and other through reflection, light, and direct interaction. The artist, dressed in a garment adorned with mirrors of various shapes and sizes, walked through public spaces, inviting viewers to see themselves, their surroundings, and fragmented realities reflected back. Through shifting light and reflective glances, Saba engaged directly with the audience, creating moments of silent interaction that encouraged empathy and connection. Drawing from Edward Said’s critique of Orientalism, Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism, and Joan Jonas’s exploration of identity, the project delved into the political, gendered, and geographical dimensions of “otherness.” It examined how these constructs shaped by culture, language, psychology, race, gender, and geography affect our perceptions of identity and division. The mirrors and light disrupted the boundary between performer and audience, shifting the focus from the individual to a shared exploration of collective humanity. In transforming a simple walk into a complex dialogue, The Other challenged the distance we maintain in urban spaces, urging audiences to reconsider the fragile, often politicized boundaries that both divide and unite us.
Photo Credit: Shruti Rao
