Morehshin Allahyari

Bio

Morehshin Allahyari is a media artist and activist who uses computer modeling, 3D scanning, and digital fabrication techniques to explore the intersection of art and activism. Inspired by concepts of collective archiving and cultural contradiction, Allahyari’s 3D-printed sculptures and videos challenge social and gender norms. She wants her work to respond to, resist, and criticize the current political and cultural situation that is experienced on a daily basis. Her work has been part of numerous exhibitions, festivals, and workshops at venues throughout the world, including the New Museum, MoMa, Centre Pompidou, Venice Biennale di Architettura, and Museum für Angewandte Kunst, among many others.

Rapid Response Project 

Part of an ongoing project, She Who Sees The Unknown, Allahyari has been researching and re-contextualizing stories of monstrous figures and Jinn of Persian and Arabic origin. Using Islamic female/queer figures and their stories, she explores the catastrophes resultant of colonialism, patriarchism, and environmental degradation, in the context of the Middle East. As the final step of this project — and as part of Rapid Response — the artist will release an extensive web-based archive of her findings, which is the first of its kind. The archive will include over one hundred pdf files, scanned books, images of monstrous female/queer figures and talismans, and related historical material.