A work by Iranian artist Hoda Afshar

MQ Forecourt

On the occasion of the women's protests in Iran, MuseumsQuartier Wien is presenting a six-part photo installation by the Iranian artist Hoda Afshar. The major social uprising against the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran began in September 2022 with the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody. Since then, Iranian protests have been taking place in all parts of the country on the streets, in institutions, but also on social media.

The Iranian regime is trying to use force to put down the ongoing protests and also to prevent the spread of images and information by blocking the internet. Images of women burning their hijab have become a symbol of the Iranian protest movement.

"Since the beginning of this movement, Iranians at home and abroad have been determined not to stop sharing such images as they are our only weapon and embody our message: We stand together against violence and for women, life and freedom" says artist Hoda Afshar.

At the invitation of the MuseumsQuartier Wien, Hoda Afshar selected precisely these highly symbolic images from social media in order to make them visible to the general public. The installation, which can be seen in the public space on the forecourt of the MuseumsQuartier Wien, consists of six displays with photographs more than two meters in size.

Curated by Verena Kaspar-Eisert, MQ chief curator
 

Outdoor-Performance by Shahrzad Nazarpour
Wed 09.11., 15.15-18h l MQ Forecourt

The Iranian performance artist and dancer has already delighted with her solo piece "Hijab Offline", which premiered in 2021 at Dschungel Wien and won the "TRY OUT! Young Talent Competition” award. She will show her performance in front of Hoda Afshar's photo installation.
 

„FRAU, LEBEN, FREIHEIT!“
Panel discussion (held in German) and Performance
Wed 09.11., 18h l Barocke Suite A, MuseumsQuartier, free admission
registration requested: veranstaltung@mqw.at

The protests in Iran for democracy and human rights as well as the impact of art in this context are discussed.

With a welcome by MQ director Bettina Leidl and a performance by Shahrzad Nazarpour

panelists:
Soli Kiani, artist
Ramesch Daha, artist
Solmaz Khorsand, journalist and author
host: Stephan Hilpold

Get together after the discussion