Shahriar Asdollah-Zadeh, a young Baha’i from New Zealand, has taken an innovative approach to achieve that aim: collaborative artwork, powered by social networking tools.
We conducted an interview with Shahriar, in which he speaks of the inspiration, mission and vision of his artwork.
Q. First, could you please provide us with a short introduction about yourself?
My name is Shahriar Asdollah-zadeh. I am a contemporary artist residing in New Zealand. In 2008 I focused on a year long project about Human Rights. That year also celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. I created a website called www.worldartcollective.org which has, for me, become a vehicle for raising awareness of Human Rights violations, injustices and persecution. I think now more than ever it is a very exciting time to be an artist and use the creative thought to better humanity. Artists can create awareness through contemporary art about the turbulent times we live in, the issues and problems that plague the world.
Q. Baha’is throughout the world are concerned for the Baha’i minority of Iran and the persecution it faces, but what led you into focussing on their cause in your artwork? Is their struggle of personal significance to you?
I am a Bahai myself by choice, I was born in to a Bahai family. When I turned the age of fifteen I chose to affirm my faith as a Bahai. I am half Persian, half Pilipino by ethnicity, born in the Philippines and raised in New Zealand. My grandfather was executed at the hands of the fanatical government of Iran for his faith as a Bahai. He was imprisoned for one year and at the culmination of that year executed by firing squad, at 81 years of age, for refusing to deny his Faith. This was the same for my uncle’s wife and over 200 Bahai’s executed in the 1980’s. This reflected the events of the last century when over 20,000 followers of the Babi Faith were murdered during that Faith’s inception. It is a terrifying fact that people are still executed and persecuted for their beliefs in this century. Even today in Iran, the homes of Bahai’s are destroyed, their cemeteries desecrated and robbed and their Holy Places reduced to rubble at the hands of fanatical mobs. Bahai youth are currently facing discrimination at all education levels. In some cases they are denied entrance into University and even secondary schools. False information is printed about the Bahais in newspapers. Bahai’s are arrested and imprisoned. Earlier in 2008 seven Bahai leaders were arrested and have been held captive since. I see this as an act of extermination to suppress and extinguish a race of people. Bahai’s are not the only minority being persecuted in Iran. There are also Christians, Jews, Sufis, Sunni Muslims, and other minorities who are stripped of their rights. Bahai’s, like these other minorities within Iran, are wanting equality and to be accepted as citizens of their own countries. For more information on the persecution, visit http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution
Q. What struck me the most about your artwork was your successful usage of Facebook to mobilize and collaborate with participants across the world. What inspired you to use that tactic?
I am interested in creating situations where the artist and the participant of the artwork interact and influence one another. I feel that the product of what a joint effort can create is potentially more successful in its outcome than what an individual alone can achieve. Thinking collaboratively, therefore working in unity, can be viewed as a radical archetype for a new way of thinking for all of society. This goes beyond the field of creativity and can affect society positively. I feel that social networking is a very important aspect of collaboration. Social networking mainly exists within the Internet i.e. through simple exchange of e-mails, instant messages, blogs, web pages and online programs such as Facebook, Myspace, Youtube and Flickr. It is the worldwide exchange of and easy access to dialogue, ideas and information at the click of a button that make web based communication currently so successful. The Internet provides a free distribution of uncensored information allowing for the expression of views, opinions, political engagements, social dialogue and interaction. I believe that acquiring uncensored knowledge is very important and the free distribution of that knowledge is necessary. Artists can therefore find an audience to receive this dialogue and engage with it.
I have used the power of the internet and e-mail to create a global network of many demographically diverse people from around the world and have given them the opportunity to come together to participate in this world wide artists’ collective. I left it open for anyone who was on Facebook to join my world wide collective and participate in this project in collaboration with me and become a participant of social action. To date, more than 1750 people have joined the group and I have received photographs and text messages from people around the world who are concerned about the unjust treatment of the Persian Bahá’í community in Iran.
Q. How many art pieces have you created to date through World Art Collective, and what is the story of each?
I have created six artworks to date for the series. They can be found on the webpage http://www.worldartcollective.org/photos.php . I wanted to explore what could be achieved through the different contemporary mediums of practice and how it could influence aspects of the year long project. These were done through photography, sculpture, video, installation, sound, internet websites and communication technology (e-mail and text messaging.) The participants in my on-line Facebook group were included in two of my works, which I will briefly talk about.
The two artworks evolved through the conversations that took place about the persecution of Bahai’s in Iran. This was generated from the instructions I posted on www.worldartcollective.org. The participants made a conscious decision to be involved and educate their friends, families, co-workers, associates and strangers about the persecution of the Bahai’s. The conversations and interactions between people talking about the persecution is the artwork and the photographs and text messages are simply a form of documentation. In essence, I have used modern age technologies to communicate an idea of collective unity, justice and human rights through contemporary art.
Another artwork that I want to mention in the series of six works is the sculpture titled ‘Tribute to the Bahai Martyrs of Iran.’ It is a sculpture piece made of steel, brass, aluminum, Perspex, and transparency. It took me 3 months to create it. It is a comment at oppression, persecution and a tribute to those Bahai’s who died for their faith. Within the sculpture lie 220 faces and names of the Bahai’s that were executed in the 1980’s in Iran. That is all the information I want to give away about the work. You have to see it in person to experience what I felt when making it.
Q. What is your overall vision for the future? What do you hope to achieve through your artwork?
I hope to inspire other people to create art for similar causes like this one because I feel that it is greatly needed. Art that creates awareness by touching on present day social issues can potentially involve a greater audience than the traditional art gallery or art world. I feel that in a small way, the series of works did bring about some awareness on the persecution of Bahai’s in Iran and human rights to some people, even though it is at an introductory level. I believe that collective participation and collaboration can spark social and intellectual revolutions of thinking. I saw this work as a unifying example of what collaboration can do through the arts and I will continue with this idea in the years ahead. My vision for the future I guess is to see fine art become more understandable for everyday people, not just the highly educated. The creative thought is there for everyone to use.
Q. How can you ensure that participants in the artwork continue to invest their effort into addressing the persecution of Baha’is in Iran?
I introduced the participants to the idea of using the arts to promote awareness and the possibilities of how to communicate social issues in different ways. Hopefully what I’ve done will open up people’s minds and give them ideas as to how they can pass on the message individually. I can’t be certain that people will continue, but what I can ensure is that as persecution continues and gains wider exposure in the media, those people that participated or simply viewed my artwork will hopefully feel compelled to help in some way.
Q. For real changes in the status of the Baha’i minority in Iran to occur, it is vital to engage with citizens from Iran. Do you have any plans of doing that in the future?
I do believe that the citizens of Iran have a vital role to play in recognizing and changing the many injustices perpetrated by the authorities against their fellow Baha’i citizens. I remain convinced that all the people of the world, both within and outside of Iran must see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears. As individuals, no matter where we reside, we cannot continue to tolerate persecution of others within our community based solely on prejudice and hate. My focus is on highlighting the plight of the Baha’is in Iran through my artwork and raising the issues in front of an international audience including those in Iran who are receptive and can weigh the issues with open minds and open hearts.
Q. How has your artwork been received, and has it succeeded in gaining international media attention? Has your effort been met with criticism?
My work has been received quite well nationally but not yet internationally. It has been on national television, front page of a government run education magazine and two national newspapers. The website itself receives hits from many countries around the world. I also received a special acknowledgment from the Human Rights Commission in New Zealand. Surprisingly the work has not met any criticism that I am aware of. I do not want to force my work upon people; I only hope that it can encourage people to be aware of the sufferings of others.
Q. Do you have any concerns about the possible reaction of the Iranian government to World Art Collective as it gains recognition?
My primary concern is for the safety and welfare of the Bahai’s in Iran and other oppressed people.
The government of Iran has committed countless crimes against humanity directed at the Bahai’s and other minorities living in Iran over the last two centuries. It is time that the entire world is made aware of these crimes, and for justice to prevail. The closed door towards these atrocities must be opened and people must know the truth.
Q. It would be understandable if you prefer not to answer this question for the time being, but what project will you work on next?
I am inspired by the participants that helped me get through my projects in the last year. As I said before, creating situations where artists can really work with their audience creates a very unified atmosphere and I wish to continue with this idea in the years ahead.
Q. Finally, Baha’i youth are denied many rights that we take for granted. What message would you like to convey to the Baha’is of Iran who are currently reading this?
I think no matter what I say with this question, I feel unworthy to make any comment… The Bahai youth in Iran are oppressed to the most extreme but they still keep living everyday as Bahai’s and are so strong and deepened in their spiritual beliefs. No matter what has happened through the persecutions, it hasn’t quenched the light of the Bahai youth but has only made it brighter. Their steadfastness is an example to us Bahai’s living outside of Iran. They are inspiring. The Bahai community in Iran are inspiring. I just want to say to them that your life’s sacrifices are not taken for granted; they give us courage and strength to move forward and press onward to bring unity to the world… “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
Shahriar’s work was also featured on a local TV station in New Zealand, where he spoke of his project and showcased his artwork.
To learn more about Shahriar’s work and view photos of previous artwork, visit his website worldartcollevtice.org. And if you wish to keep updated on Shahriar’s projects, or even participate in future ones, join the WorldArt Collective facebook group.
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Bitsenemimife
30 August, 2010
Really.