TARANEH KHODAI - EXPOSURE EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE

The mirror comes from the sky. It is always clean and shows nobility.

Hejleh Was a wedding chamber in old Iranian culture, a room decorated by the wedding couple's family with colourful mirrors for the newlywed to spend their first night in.

Today, Hejleh is erected when a young person passes away unexpectedly. These elaborate shrine-like stand outside a house where mourning ceremonies for the death of a young person are convened.

It is an old part of Iran's culture. When someone dies, their family announces others with a funeral poster. They stick obituaries on the outside walls of their dead people's houses. Obituaries include a sad poem a photo of the dead person and the date of the ceremony. most of the family shows Just the faces of men on posters, but women's posters represent a flower instead of women's photos.

Then that is a question woman does not have any identity in my country (Iran)? Absolutely, yes, we have but government and religion try to fade our face or make us the second gender. In Iran, someone tries to fade women, but in my mind, it is not just about Iran and women. The face of fading is different and the objects for fading. Everywhere in the world, someone tries to eliminate or fade some other people, because of their power, religion, gender, generation or raise.

I want to show that all of us must respect others despite all our differences. The world needs more love and peace for the next generation.

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Tehran, Iran in 1986 and I have always had an experimental approach to making art.

My interest in construction led me to study architecture at university, but I was more drawn to exploring forms rather than spatial learning. My works are always a reflection of my thoughts, with the ideas coming to me before the materials. I never limit myself to one medium or label myself as a photographer, sculptor, or architect because the idea is the most important aspect to me.

Although femininity is not a deliberate theme in my works, it can feel present at times. I have a strong interest in Iranian architecture, which is evident in every piece I create.

I began my artistic practice in 2005, initially focusing on painting. My early pieces explored subject material rooted in the traditions of Iranian culture, symbolism, mirrors, and storytelling and their impact on artistic practices, architecture, and photography. I employed faded colours, abstract forms, and drawings to create a sense of mystery, and I often took photos with a scanner.

After graduating as an architect in Iran, I undertook a significant life change by immigrating to Canada in 2018. The upheavals caused by the pandemic prompted me to pivot my career trajectory, leading me to embrace the realm of UI/UX design. Currently, I am further enriching my skills through education in new media production and design within the vibrant city of Calgary. This new chapter in my artistic exploration promises to expand the horizons of my creativity even further.