Suleman, M.B., 2022.

Requital.

The masculine and phallic physical structure of the lighthouse is combined digitally with the typically female and
mythical figure of the siren through augmented reality and moving image.

Sirens, in myth, brought sailors to their doom by luring them into shipwrecks at their islands while lighthouses are
beacons acting as navigational aid bringing maritime pilots to safety. Both are an invitation, providing direction. It is
interesting to note that a 'siren', as a famously female figure, is seen as 'negative' while the phallic lighthouse as
'positive'. Requital. subverts and cuts across these clean lines for a work that is more paradoxical than these polarities.

An ode to unrequited love, Requital. finds a metaphor in Isle of Portland's history as a quarry site, for when love is
taken but not given, not reciprocated, much like how Portland stone has been taken by man for ages to build
elsewhere.

Co-commissioned by b-side festival in collaboration with UAL and Creatives Garage, with support by the British
Council.

On view at b-side festival from September 8 - 11, 2022.