Unveiling the Power of Cross-Cultural Womanhood: A Decade-Long Journey
In a world where womanhood is often defined by societal expectations, Clémence Polès Farhang dared to challenge these norms. Her journey began when she immigrated to New York City, and with it, a unique perspective on womanhood emerged. Through her creation of Passerby magazine, Polès Farhang embarked on a decade-long project to explore and celebrate womanhood in its diverse forms.
"Can I come over and take your picture?" is more than just a question; it's an invitation to delve into the lives and stories of over 300 women, captured in their homes across New York, Paris, London, and Los Angeles. This photographic and oral archive, curated by Nastasia Alberti, is now on display at the Slip House gallery in New York, marking a significant milestone in Polès Farhang's artistic journey.
As she prepared for the exhibition, Polès Farhang made an intriguing discovery: most of the women featured were immigrants or children of immigrants. Their stories, intertwined with displacement, reveal how this experience shaped their identities, careers, and sense of belonging.
"Here's where it gets controversial..." Polès Farhang reflects on the use of photography in immigration discourse. She draws inspiration from Carmen Winant's work, questioning the narrative often portrayed in media. "Immigration is framed as a problem, a flow to be controlled. But what if we showed a different side?"
And so, the portraits in this exhibition do just that. They showcase women building homes, creating art, and navigating their unique paths. Here are a few of their stories:
Huong Dodinh: Dodinh fled the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, with her family in 1953 due to war. Settling in Paris, she recalls the stark contrast of seasons, with bare trees initially appearing dead to her. Placed in a French boarding school, she faced a challenging environment, missing her hard beds from home. Despite these obstacles, she pursued her passion at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and was present during the May 68 protests. Today, she leads a monastic life, rarely leaving her home.
Rose: Rose's journey began in Guerrero, Mexico. At 22, she arrived in New York, leaving her young children behind for a better life. Her taxi driver, concerned for her well-being in the snow, offered her shelter and a job at an Italian grocery store. Rose's resilience and determination shine through as she shares her story, including the trauma of rape that resulted in two children at a young age. She finds joy in shopping and wearing high heels, a symbol of her strength and independence.
Shirin Neshat: Neshat's connection to America began through Hollywood fantasies. However, upon arriving in Los Angeles, she experienced depression. The isolation and unfamiliar surroundings took a toll. It was during the Iranian revolution that she found solace in a community of Iranian artists, becoming an extended family. Her roots in Iran run deep, shaping her identity and perspective.
Ana Kraš: Kraš's childhood was marked by the Bosnian war. Embargos and bombing created a challenging environment, but she sees it as a blessing for her development. At 15, she embarked on a modeling journey to Tokyo, a bold move before the proliferation of mobile phones. This trip, she believes, marked the end of her childhood and the beginning of her independence.
Isabel Sandoval: Filmmaker Sandoval's journey to New York post-college led to self-discovery. She shares her experience as a trans woman, navigating identity politics. While representation is important, she aims to transcend labels and approach her work with pure artistry, beyond gender.
Naïlat Salama Djae and Salimata Ali Chahidi: This mother-daughter duo immigrated from the Comoro Islands, creating a comfortable life in Paris. Chahidi, a social worker, helps asylum seekers prepare their files, a deeply emotional process. Djae, a PR manager, reflects on their different emotional expressions, a blend of generations.
Tiana Rainford: Rainford's roots are in East New York, raised by a Jamaican immigrant mother, a trained chef. She continues her mother's legacy, working at a community farm, growing organic produce, and educating her neighbors. Food, a cultural staple, plays a significant role in their lives, and Rainford advocates for understanding and respecting cultural diets.
Sunny Shokrae: Shokrae, a photographer, left Iran as a child and was raised in southern California. Her return to Tehran sparked a connection to her roots. At a flea market, she found a kindred spirit in a stranger, both sharing a love for Black Sabbath. This moment symbolizes her quest to reconnect with Iran, a place of admiration and mystery.
"Can I come over and take your picture?" is an exhibition that challenges perceptions and celebrates the diverse experiences of womanhood. It invites us to consider the power of storytelling and the impact of immigration. As you explore these portraits, what emotions and thoughts do they evoke? How do these women's journeys resonate with your own experiences or perspectives? Feel free to share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below!
