“Before We Were Banned” is a group exhibition curated by Brooklyn‑based Iranian duo Kiana Pirouz and SVA MFA Design “Venture” student Mahya Soltani (who will graduate in 2018) in partnership with SHIM at ArtHelix. It responds to President Trump’s first Executive Order banning travel from seven majority Muslim countries to the U.S. Featured are works by Mays Albiek, Layali Alsadeh, Asiya Al-Sharabi, Susu Attar, Farhad Bahram, Carmen Daneshmandi, Ibi Ibrahim, Rhonda Khalifeh, Soraya Majd, Gina Malek, Ifrah Mansour and Tandis Shoushtary.
“‘Before We Were Banned’ seeks to examine the complex nature of identities assumed as immigrants in U.S. from these countries long before/after the ban was announced, in an effort to reveal honest representations of those affected and also to heal the community,” state the organizers. “The exhibition addresses important consequences: What does home mean in a place that actively opposes your existence? And what does home mean with respect to your home country when you are not legally able to return? These themes are explored in the exhibition through multimedia installations, video art, photography, printmaking, collage and painting. Select merchandise, books and publications from the diaspora will also be showcased during the show.”
Opening reception: January 26, 6:00 PMExhibition: January 26, 6–9 PM; January 27, 12–6 PM; January 28, 12–6 PMLocation: ArtHelix: 289 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206.
