AS A RHIZOME

In her art, the Isfahan-born artist deals in a very personal way with the living conditions in Iran, which have changed radically in recent years. She combines this with her passion for architecture, which she feels is her destiny; a combination of profession, activism and lifestyle. Her practical work as an architect is becoming increasingly difficult. For Baharak Keshani, however, it is neither an option to retire from her profession nor to resign herself to the current circumstances without complaint, so her drawings are a way to evolve and find her way in the in-between - "creating" as the basis of her life.

"My personal life is a small example of the changes that have affected the lives of all Iranians socially, politically and personally in the last four or five years. Although our changed situation was and is a difficult one, I did not resign myself to it and give up like many other Iranians. That is why I had to change my career path. I personally refer to this constant effort not to pause as a rhizome-like movement. A movement that made me switch from the main path to the side paths and find a way to continue life with the tools of interdisciplinary concepts and categories of architecture that provide an understanding of the given conditions. Therefore, I can say that my architecture did not end, but only sprouted again in a different place. It was a way of continuing to live, to stay alive. I didn't just want to be; I wanted to become. So I used the opportunities available to me to minimise my vulnerability. I wanted to be Barbapapa; I wanted to move in the in-between spaces to survive, just like rhizomes." Baharak Keshani

Baharak Keshani will be present at the vernissage and, in addition to introductory words by the artist herself, Volkwin Marg (gmp - Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner) will give the laudatory speech. We look forward to welcoming you on 19 September 2023 at 7 pm for an interesting exchange, snacks and drinks!