Oriental Drag, Williams College Museum of Art, 2013

“Oriental Drag” was a two-hour durational performance at Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown Massachusetts on November 21, 2013. Rah stood still and silently on a plinth while allowing spectators to play “dress up.” On a nearby table, there were various accessories including scarves, makeup and brushes, and a blonde wig. On a garment …

Self Portrait, Digital Video, 2013, Excerpt (1 minute)

  “Self Portrait” is a two channel video installation. Both channels are projected larger than life size and are installed in front of each other. As the viewer approaches the videos, their shadows becomes a part of the installation. The viewer is encouraged to think about their relationship with these racialized characters and their role …

Oriental Tutorial, Preview Version, Digital Video, 2013

  “In his major contribution, Fatima is Fatima  (1971), Ali Shari’ati (1933-77), constructed a role model for Iranian women that would restore the moral fortitude that had been seemingly lost to overwhelming Euro-American mass consumption during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah (r.1941-79): ‘What creatures [women] they [the monarchy] have sent to the market place …

Shades of the Orient

“Shades of the Orient”is a light box installation that was commissioned by SAW Gallery for the show “Transformer: the Body Remixed.” Shades of the Orient is a photographic image made by exposing a single frame multiple times while moving around within the frame as the light hits the set. Completed in 2012, this piece is …

Eslah | Digital Video (Preview)

http://www.vimeo.com/65312462 [vimeo clip_id=65312462 width=1000] Music: Hamid Reza Naderian Studio Assistant: Lilian Cardoso

Oriental Drag | Digital Video (Preview)

“Oriental Drag” is a stop motion that consists of one-thousand photographs. The poses in each image are inspired by hip hop, vogue, and traditional Iranian dancing.The melange of fragmented poses and dance styles creates a new hybrid dance.Further, the visibility and construction of the studio space is synonymous with the construction of cultural identity. Rah …