ZARVAN, the ancient Persian deity of time, is a 23 foot interactive sculpture in the form of a monumental human head that explores perception, communication, and collective presence. Visitors can look through internal periscopes aligned with the eyes to experience the surrounding landscape through ZARVAN’s gaze. Integrated speaking tubes within the ears allow people on opposite sides of the sculpture to speak and listen through the structure itself, making the work a vessel for human connection and shared presence. Its luminous crown, inspired by traditional Persian stained glass, responds to human presence with shifting colored light, while the faceted steel body draws from Persian rug geometry and is hand painted with Persian rug motifs, embedding cultural memory into the form. Through sight, sound, and participation, ZARVAN becomes a living, responsive system.
Reno, NV