Simurgh. Ten Woman Artists from Iran.

About

The exhibition Simurgh. Ten Women Artists from Iran. addresses issues of memory, surveillance, identity politics, economic and social changes. It was curated by Başak Şenova, professor of research at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, and is inspired by the legend of the Simurgh.

The Simurgh is a magnificent bird endowed with mysterious powers from Persian mythology. It has appeared in various traditions, stories, and variations for thousands of years. The most famous one goes back to the Islamic poet Attar of Nishapur and his epic “The Conference of the Birds” from the 12th century.

At Attar, thousands of birds meet to elect their king. An agreement seems impossible, so the clever hoopoe suggests that they should look for the great and mighty Simurgh and elect him king. The birds thus set off on a journey to Mount Qaf, a mountain that is said to be the home of Simurgh and the seat of wisdom.