Sepideh Jahanpanah

Amorphous Life

Echoes of the Past

Installation 2023

Echoes of the Past is an installation by Sepideh Jahanpanah, featuring numerous ceramic pieces created through a participatory process. The work delves into the past and present experiences of Iranians, portraying an eroding Iran as seen through the eyes of the Iranian diaspora.

Background sound created by Bardo Frings using the recorded conversations with participants
Fractions of a the collaboration sessions of the video shown in Documentation of a Possible Artwork, Iran

After eight years away from her homeland, Sepideh Jahanpanah reflects with sorrow on the emptiness, decay, and abandonment she observes from a distance. In Echoes of the Past, she contemplates the unappreciated and neglected richness of Persian culture—its art, literature, architecture, philosophy, diverse nature, and unique cuisine. Over two years, this installation evolved from a personal exploration of the Iranian diaspora’s life in the Netherlands to a collective reflection on a civilization and cultural heritage spanning millennia, now gradually fading from global awareness.

The installation was realized through collaboration with Iranians living outside Iran, who contributed to the work during multiple sessions. Participants crafted ceramic pieces that became part of the installation while engaging in socio-political conversations and sharing personal migrant experiences. These dialogues were recorded and incorporated into the generative, ever-eroding soundscapes that resonate through the installation, adding an auditory layer to the landscape and deepening the viewer’s engagement with the work.

Note, Papers on the floor show the recognisable words and sentences from the background soundscape with translation to english.

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