South SFV Today

Alia Farid, a sculptor and filmmaker, has installed her first public art commission in North America on Meyer Green at Stanford University. The piece, titled "Amulets," is part of the university's Plinth Project and will be displayed for three years. The sculpture consists of two large amulet forms with seven apertures each, referencing divination practices. It invites viewers to reflect on the origins of objects within Stanford's collections.

This installation marks Stanford's second commission for the Plinth Project and joins other sculptures in the permanent public art collection nearby. Farid’s work examines industrial and handmade objects, exploring themes related to water and oil extraction through materials like blue faience and polyester resin. These materials connect to Iraq's history, as blue faience dates back over 6,000 years while polyester resin emerged from petroleum production in the 20th century.

Farid discovered significant connections during her research at Stanford. She found numerous blue faience items in the Cantor Arts Center collection and Iraqi government records at the Hoover Institution related to Saddam Hussein's Ba'th Party. Although most records have been returned to Iraq, digitized copies remain accessible. "Amulets" situates these elements within discussions about material culture and repatriation.

Haidar Hadi from the Hoover Institution commented on the sculpture: “The sculpture’s blend of materials symbolizes a dialogue between historical heritage and modern artistic expression.” Anna Bigelow from Stanford expressed interest in using "Amulets" as a teaching tool: “Amulets is a striking contemporary piece articulating a complex engagement with the extractive oil industry.”

Anne Shulock from Stanford emphasized its impact: “I am excited for how Amulets can activate the Plinth as a site of creative energy.” Farid plans to engage further with campus activities throughout the exhibition period.