NOTES #17: Afghan migrant artists in Iran

Afghanistan, Iran’s eastern neighbor, has witnessed some of the largest waves of emigration since the 1970s. As a result, most refugees and migrants in Iran are Afghans. Among them also many artists. Nevertheless, little is known about the art scene in Afghanistan or the work of Afghan artists in Iran. What is the relationship between Afghan artists, who have consistently been viewed as a minority and subjected to discrimination, and the Iranian art scene? Can artistic expression heal the wounds of displacement? Is it possible—or even desirable—for migrant artists to free themselves from being othered?

The new issue of mohit.art NOTES – published in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation – is dedicated to the work of Afghan migrant artists in Iran. NOTES #17 includes artistic presentations, conversations between artists and a selection of documentary and artistic photography. Their connection isn’t defined solely by their Afghan origins, but by how migration and being othered have shaped their identity and become the driving force behind their work.

Together with curator and writer Akram Ahmadi Tavana, artist Morsal Halimi, and photographer and curator Reza Heidari Shahbidak we will present the new issue of mohit.art NOTES exploring the connection between art and healing in the context of migration and displacement focusing on the work of Afghan migrant artists in Iran.

With:

• Akram Ahmadi Tavana, Writer, curator, and art educator
• Morsal Halimi, Multimedia artist
• Reza Heidari Shahbidak, Photographer and filmmaker
• Hannah Jacobi, Author, curator and co-director of mohit.art

In cooperation with mohit.art.

>> Livestream on the website via mohit.art