Sharin Neshat Response

Shirin Neshat’s work contains a very strong and close to her purpose. I admire that her work is so focused on one single topic, yet can provide meaning and hope for so many other parts of everyday struggles for various religions, races, genders, etc.

I also love that she studies the novel, culture and history to make the film as accurate as possible according the traditions of the Islam and the Muslim. It is most important to have that kind of information correct to get her point across and make a solid and strong statement and argument. Her film also seems very unique as it uses magical realism, which is, as Shirin Neshat puts it, an “Iranian system of communication.” This is mainly due to the censorship of such material by their government.

One thing I found odd is that in her interview she claims to not be a feminist but her photographs are about he hidden and forbidden aspects of Islamic femininity. If I understand correctly, her goal is not to fight for women and their rights, but rather to simply expose them as they currently are. I think her purpose for this is to subliminally strike the attention of those who actually will protest and fight for the justice of Islamic females.

Not knowing what the writing says on her photographs, they all seem very similar. It is difficult for me to determine the messages she is trying to send.

I am including a picture of Sharin Neshat. In this photo she is showing a lot of skin and her arms are super toned. This is completely opposite of what I would picture as Islam or Muslim. Her image in this photo makes me believe she is in a battle for justice, freedom and fair rights for Muslim women.