I am Sara Sasani, a woman from the heart of Iran. I was born in Iran and I have been living in Tehran for 37 years. As a photographer and actually as a visual sociologist, I have always tried to have an active observation of my surroundings and my society. Considering my education in the field of art and sociology, I have studied and worked in the field of women studies and as an Iranian woman, I have understood and been confronted with the problems and sufferings of women in my country very well.
Living in my country, Iran, has always been affected by politics, traditions, customs of society and the patriarchal system, but on the other hand, women have always been fighting against dominant thinking and demanding their citizenship rights. But these days, Iran and the atmosphere that prevails in the country are different from what we have experienced in the past. In the past few months, we have witnessed a transformation in society that has happened at an unbelievable speed. Of course, we have all paid a lot for these changes.
As you know, today’s Iran is very different from Iran of the past few months, and this is very good and promising but everything is not as simple as we imagine, along with the recent occurrences that are still happening and continue, a situation has arisen that, I and many Iranian women have not experienced until now. Millions of people around the world as much as Iranian government have focused on women, which sometimes seems good and sometimes scary. But in my opinion, women live under a gray sky; a neutral situation that is neither entirely good nor entirely bad, an unknown, dumb and incomprehensible situation. Sometimes abstract, sometimes surreal and sometimes grotesque.
An undecided situation that is not aligned with the system’s demands. It seems that after a few months, we still haven’t set foot on the ground. This uncertain situation may confuses us, but it will not stop us. And I know very well that this huge occurrence will change the position on the wider level. It is clearly defined that the status of women will be different in the field of culture, art, society and politics and also the borders of culture and tradition will shift. Therefore this is very hopeful and liberating.
I would add by the last sentence, I thank from the bottom of my heart the Willy Brandt Haus and specially Mrs. Linnekugel for giving me the opportunity to present my photographic position and I am glad that through this exhibition in Berlin, Iranian photography will receive worldwide attention.
Sara Sasani June 2023