muted

Muted is the title of a 2020 installation that critically examines the pervasive censorship in Iran, highlighting the compulsory hijab and the restricted autonomy of individuals living under oppressive regimes. This installation serves as a poignant commentary on how state-imposed censorship functions as a form of cultural cleansing, systematically silencing Iranian identity and resisting imperial Western notions of freedom. By mandating the hijab and controlling media narratives, the regime enforces conformity and suppresses diverse expressions of self, particularly those of women whose voices are often marginalised in public discourse.

The installation employs fabric as a central motif, its placement subject to the forces of wind and water, symbolising the fragility and vulnerability of identity under such repressive conditions. Each natural element—a gentle breeze, the motion of water, and the river's flow—interacts uniquely with the fabric, distorting and transforming its representation. This dynamic interplay mirrors the constant struggle of Iranian individuals to maintain their cultural and personal identities amidst relentless external pressures and internal restrictions. Consequently, the material becomes a powerful symbol of identity in perpetual flux, reflecting the resilience and ongoing transformation of those navigating the complexities of censorship and cultural suppression.

-video installation features heavy white fabric draped over the Yarra River, accompanied by music from Ghamar Vaziri, a renowned and rebellious Iranian female artist from the 1940s-50s.