The George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation

Project Title- تا سبزه ی خاک ما تماشاگه کیست : For those who will behold our soil. 

Bio:

I am a sculptor and social artist. Throughout my life, I have been intrigued by the concept of Liberation and its absence in everyday personal situations. I have explored this topic through various mediums, such as social practice,   sculpture, and sound, and have come to realize how these personal situations are closely linked to larger societal issues. As a woman growing up in the Islamic Republic of Iran, I tried to understand the systems that produce inequity and conflict. However, the more I delved into this complex topic, the more I understood how it is deeply connected to issues such as oil, carbon democracy, and racial geography. My interest lies in utilizing these connections and exploring blind spots that may exist within these narratives.

My current projects delve into topics that have significantly shaped my life - oil and resistance. These subjects, while frequently discussed in the media, often overlook crucial aspects such as racial dynamics, the role of women and minorities, environmental narratives, and the distinct beneficiaries and bearers of its costs. 

This project began as an exploration of how soil can come to be contaminated. Ruined soil, saturated with oil and petrochemicals, serves as a tangible emblem of how a racialized people who live and depend on that soil have their possibilities for flourishing annihilated. As the project developed, I planned a photo, sound, and data installation that explores soil contamination through the lens of “The Conference of the Birds” by Attar, a 12th-century Sufi and poet.

Here is how the story unfolds : 

“The Conference of the Birds" by Attar is an allegorical poem about birds seeking the mythical Simorgh to be their king. Guided by the hoopoe, they journey through seven valleys representing stages of the Sufi path to enlightenment. As the birds face hardships and many perish along the way, they learn about themselves and the nature of their quest. Only thirty birds survive to reach the dwelling of the Simorgh. There, they realize a profound truth: "Simorgh" in Persian means "thirty birds," and it is in their unity and reflection that they find the Simorgh. The story concludes with the birds understanding that the Simorgh they sought is, metaphorically, within themselves; their journey was a process of self-discovery and realization of their own divine nature. This tale is a profound exploration of the soul's journey toward God and the discovery that the divine is within oneself.

Inspired by this story,  this project investigates my connection with soil through engagement with community-led soil and water cleanup initiatives. It focuses on documenting the efforts of thirty individuals involved in environmental restoration projects near our city, including scientists, whistle-blowers, and community leaders.