#rp20 Speaker Morehshin Allahyari—the interplay of art and technology
Morehshin Allahyari is an artist, activist, and educator. She was born and raised in Iran and moved to the United States in 2007. Her work deals with the political, social, and cultural contradictions we face every day. Her modeled, 3D-printed sculptural reconstructions of ancient artifacts destroyed by ISIS have received worldwide attention. Her work has been shown at the Queens Museum, the Tate Modern, Venice Biennale di Archittectura, and Centre Pompidou, among many others
Right now, Morehshin is working on the last figure for her “She Who Sees The Unknown” series which focuses on war, trauma, DNA, and childbirth. With the help of technologies like 3D modeling, 3D scanning, 3D printing, and storytelling she re-creates monstrous female/queer figures of Middle Eastern origin, using the traditions and myths associated with them to explore the catastrophes of colonialism, patriarchism and environmental degradation in relationship to the Middle East. Find her Twitter feed here.
ASAP—3 questions for … Morehshin Allahyari
We asked Morehshin about her recent work, the most pressing issues she sees at the moment and her recommended readings, music and movies.
What topic will you talk about at #rp20?
I am not completely sure yet but it could be in relationship to my “She Who Sees The Unknown” series.
True to this year’s motto—what’s the most pressing issue for you personally at the moment?
Immigration issues and travel ban as well as sanctions imposed by the U.S. in Iran.
What’s your reading, movie or music recommendation that everyone should check out ASAP?
Readings:
- Out of the Woods collective
- The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race
Music:
Movies:
We’re thrilled to have Morehshin as a keynote speaker for a second time at re:publica after 2018 where she unfortunately felt ill and had to cancel at short notice.