As the seven institutions that make up the Alliance of International Production Houses, we would like to express our grief and horror at the brutal and inhuman behaviour exhibited by Iranian authorities against protesters fighting for human rights and gender equality in Iran. Each of the venues in our alliance has enjoyed deep connections to Iranian artists and artistic companies for decades. And now, under the title Voices Iran, we have launched an online gallery designed to provide a forum for submissions from Iran-based artists. In doing so, we hope to call greater attention to the struggles and dangers these individuals face. We are also eager to show our solidarity with prisoners and protesters in Iran, in this case by inviting Iranian artists to contribute their work to an ever-growing online platform. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the protest maintains its visibility and continues to form a key part of the public discourse. The focus is initially on artists in Iran who do not have easy access to platforms. In order not to endanger any individuals, some of the contributions are published anonymously.
Voices Iran is a project organised by the Alliance of International Production Houses and curated by Ozi Ozar and Sahar Rahimi.
We ask for your understanding that the contributions are published here in their original language or in English.
I have been wanting to write a text about this „object“ for a long time. This thing, which I don’t know exactly what to call it, is two pieces of cloth that have been sewn together in a dull and dirty way. +
Tanz verkörpert Leben, Kunst und Kultur – eine zeitlose Entität, die Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft durchdringt.
Tanz ist flüssig, transzendierend und ein Akt des Widerstandes. +
Die Mutter aller Kriege
Ein Krieg, zu leben.
Ein Krieg, zu sterben.
Wir sind alle Kinder des Krieges
und unsere Kinder sind
unsere Zeugen. +
As someone who has been interested in theatre since the age of twelve, the organized censorship of this kind of art is nothing new.
A concept called revision has plagued the performing arts ever since the revolution. +
The Jina revolution in Iran, which was ignited by the brutal murder of Jina (Mahsa) Amini in September 2022 by the morality police in Tehran, has fundamentally changed many things in Iran and will continue to do so. +
„Lotus Effect #4“ is an ongoing study of found footage, videos, and sounds that investigates recent events in Iran. The interactive installation tries to approach the different aspects inside and outside the country that affect and trigger the ongoing and recurrent resistance in Iran. +
Something that is always full of surprises and excitement is the language of children and those without masks. Those who, even at the height of their playfulness, reveal their true selves before your very eyes when playing a role. +
„Here’s My Mourning Routine“ is a transmedia installation inspired by the ongoing events in Iran, including the regime’s murderous crimes and the resistance of people from different nations in Iran, both within and outside of the borders. +
A city is a living creature, as it grows and it Witheres.
A city must not be razed to the ground for it to die.
It is enough that people’s interests are cut off from it.
Tehran is dead. +
During my last trip to Iran, I came across the anthem of „Soroode Zendegi“, which translates into „Anthem of Life.“ I had gone to Iran to meet my friends and family before the fall semester of my university began to alleviate my homesickness. +
I…, a member of the Iranian Theatre family, in empathy and companionship with the „Women, Life, Freedom“ Movement, declare:
I won’t perform on a stage where „women“ or men are forced to perform in Hijab. +
Streets do not have their daily rhythm anymore. Every sentence and breath outside the house has changed its context and meaning. Existence in this harrowing situation has become a form of resistance. +