International Women’s Day (8 March) is a day to join voices with people around the world and call for equal rights for all women. It’s should be a time to celebrate the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic or cultural. But can we celebrate and pretend all is fine when we know that millions of women are captured in their homes with no rights on higher education, work or any form of freedom? Last year, Iran witnessed the biggest and longest protests since 1979, triggered by the death of a young Iranian-Kurdish woman — the 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini — under suspicious circumstances after being arrested by the “morality police” for allegedly failing to properly wear the hijab. Maybe we should use all the (well deserved and very relevant) attention today for women’s equal rights and use it once more to express our support for those who are not free.
This post from actor Angelina Jolie caught my attention. She wrote: “My friend @Prune Nourry is running a beautiful art project to show solidarity with brave women in Iran who are struggling for equality and rights, and to honor their courage. My family are taking part. Anyone can participate in the project by sending a lock of their hair, before February 25th, to: MBE #235
13 rue de la Boétie, 75 008 Paris, France.”
I wanted to know more and I did some research on this beautiful initiative. Unfortunately it is too late to send in a lock of hair for the project. All the strands that were send in in time are part of an exhibition that takes place today, on March 8th, 2023, on International Women’s day.
In the Persian Mythology, the symbolic dimension of hair is particularly linked with life. Women cut their hair to mark their mourning.
Today, women and men are standing up before crowds, baring their heads, cutting off their hair in an act of defiance
For @prune the strand is the rebellious spike. The unruly one. It is also, the essential element for ignition. A strand (wick), can be extinguished, if neglected, or can ignite a fire.
Strand for Women, the collective art show about this project is taking place at 24 2nd Ave, and will feature works by artists including @homa.emami.artist @shirin__neshat @prune@cimarahmankhah and others, and performances by musicians @mhdi.darvishiand @mehrnam_rastegari, and dancer @lalesayokony. A food-based installation of white Persian pashmak, sparked by Cook for Iran’s @laylayarjani, will be brought to life by @chefnasrinlove
@Strandforwomen
#WomanLifeFreedom
#MahsaAmini
This one is for you, girls & women of Iran!
