March 2023
Through the strong symbol of hair, this collective exhibition aims to raise awareness and support for the #WomanLifeFreedom movement demanding human rights and women's rights for the Iranian people.
On March 8th, 1979, Iranian women took part in a week of demonstrations in Tehran, beginning on International Women’s Day, to protest the new Islamist regime’s edict compelling women to wear hijab. Forty four years later, on March 8th, 2023, Iranian artists Shirin Neshat, Homa Emami, and Cima Rahmankhah will be gathered by French artist Prune Nourry to present a body of artworks all connected to the symbol of hair. Alongside, a global artwork - with contributors who sent their hair strands from across the World - will be unveiled. The evening will also include performances by musicians Mehdi Darvishi and Mehrnam Rastegari with dancer Lale Sayoko, as well as a food installation by Chef Nasrin and #CookForIran.
In Persian Mythology, the symbolic dimension of hair is particularly linked with life. Women cut their hair to mark their mourning. Today, women and men are standing up before crowds, baring their heads, cutting off their hair in an act of defiance: Hair has become a universal symbol that we should keep alive.
Drawing, painting, video, food, sculpture… This show brings together a group of artists who have used hair in their work for years and want to show support to the universal movement for #WomanLifeFreedom happening in Iran - with their own way of expression, art. Inside the show, Cima Rahmankhah’s large abstract drawings of hair neighbours Shirin Neshat’s video installation “Sarah”, with a woman’s face and hair floating in water. Hanging on a wall, the incredible hair chain object by the artist Homa Emami consciously refers to the current feminist women's revolution in Iran. Every year, women's hair grows by about 15 cm, and after 44 years of oppression, the result is a 660 cm long hair chain.
Visitors can also contribute to a collaborative artwork on a giant wall made of thousands of hair strands - sent over the past month by people from Japan, Brazil, France... As Iranians are asking for everyone in favor of democracy, everyone in favor of women’s rights, to bring light and attention to their important fight, Prune Nourry answered this urgent call with another call: She asked for hair strands, a medium consistent with her artist practice as she started to collect strands from people who inspire her in 2007.
This #WomanLifeFreedom movement is inspiring. It is universal. Hair is an essential element for ignition. A strand (wick), can be extinguished, if neglected, or can ignite a fire. We hope this exhibition ignites our collective communities as we #StrandForWomen.
#WomanLifeFreedom #MahsaAmini
Through the strong symbol of hair, this collective exhibition aims to raise awareness and support for the #WomanLifeFreedom movement demanding human rights and women's rights for the Iranian people.
On March 8th, 1979, Iranian women took part in a week of demonstrations in Tehran, beginning on International Women’s Day, to protest the new Islamist regime’s edict compelling women to wear hijab. Forty four years later, on March 8th, 2023, Iranian artists Shirin Neshat, Homa Emami, and Cima Rahmankhah will be gathered by French artist Prune Nourry to present a body of artworks all connected to the symbol of hair. Alongside, a global artwork - with contributors who sent their hair strands from across the World - will be unveiled. The evening will also include performances by musicians Mehdi Darvishi and Mehrnam Rastegari with dancer Lale Sayoko, as well as a food installation by Chef Nasrin and #CookForIran.
In Persian Mythology, the symbolic dimension of hair is particularly linked with life. Women cut their hair to mark their mourning. Today, women and men are standing up before crowds, baring their heads, cutting off their hair in an act of defiance: Hair has become a universal symbol that we should keep alive.
Drawing, painting, video, food, sculpture… This show brings together a group of artists who have used hair in their work for years and want to show support to the universal movement for #WomanLifeFreedom happening in Iran - with their own way of expression, art. Inside the show, Cima Rahmankhah’s large abstract drawings of hair neighbours Shirin Neshat’s video installation “Sarah”, with a woman’s face and hair floating in water. Hanging on a wall, the incredible hair chain object by the artist Homa Emami consciously refers to the current feminist women's revolution in Iran. Every year, women's hair grows by about 15 cm, and after 44 years of oppression, the result is a 660 cm long hair chain.
Visitors can also contribute to a collaborative artwork on a giant wall made of thousands of hair strands - sent over the past month by people from Japan, Brazil, France... As Iranians are asking for everyone in favor of democracy, everyone in favor of women’s rights, to bring light and attention to their important fight, Prune Nourry answered this urgent call with another call: She asked for hair strands, a medium consistent with her artist practice as she started to collect strands from people who inspire her in 2007.
This #WomanLifeFreedom movement is inspiring. It is universal. Hair is an essential element for ignition. A strand (wick), can be extinguished, if neglected, or can ignite a fire. We hope this exhibition ignites our collective communities as we #StrandForWomen.
#WomanLifeFreedom #MahsaAmini