Mahsa Amini, Iran and Hanieh Delecroix
We spoke with French-Iranian artist Hanieh Delecroix about her initiative to support the Iranian people. Share this article with the hashtag #MahsaAmini
Hanieh Delecroix, you are a celebrated artist, renowned for your ability to seamlessly blend the colors blue, white and black in your work. Additionally, your assertive intellectual discourse on human fragility, likely stemming from your academic background in psychology and childhood traumas, has garnered attention. As a French-Iranian individual, recent events have prompted you to take a political stance, could you elaborate further on this?
Since the passing of Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, my fellow Iranians who are facing oppression under the current regime have requested for the support of the Iranian diaspora living abroad and non-Iranian individuals to speak on their behalf. They need this voice to feel strengthened in their efforts to fight for their freedom. Everyday, they confront armed men on the streets without any protection. Women, men, teenagers, and children from various social backgrounds and regions take to the streets to express their desire for freedom. It is clear to me that it is my duty to stand in solidarity with this movement. I am deeply distressed by the fact that innocent children are being killed, individuals are being subjected to inhumane forms of torture, young girls are being arrested and raped, and young men are being hung for the simple desire to live. One does not need to be Iranian to be deeply troubled by these events.
Your tribute to Mahsa Amini is deliberately understated and prominently displays the #MahsaAmini hashtag on a plain background. You chose to not incorporate aesthetics into your message, is that accurate? Does this imply that ethics and aesthetics are mutually exclusive and that one must be removed for the other to be effectively conveyed?
Aesthetics play a significant role in my life and I cannot imagine my existence without them. I take pleasure in filling my eyes with beauty. In this particular artistic installation, I deliberately abstained from using my usual colors of blue, white, and black. Despite being an artist who holds political views, I wanted to remain invisible and not draw attention to myself. The focus of this installation is not about me, the artist, but rather about the recent events in Iran following the death of a young woman named Mahsa Amini. The hashtag #MahsaAmini serves as an invitation for people to research and understand the ongoing revolution in Iran. Mahsa Amini has become the symbol of this revolution and searching for her name brings up a wealth of information. The simplicity of writing her name in black on white is intended to bring attention to Iran and to allow the installation to be displayed in various institutions.
How can other museums concretely amplify your call?
As an artist and a former Teacher Assistant at the University of Nanterre, I have chosen to focus my efforts on cultural institutions and universities. Being well-versed in this milieu allows me to effectively advance my message. I do not engage in unauthorized or "wild" posting, and instead seek permission before displaying my work.
At the onset of the revolt, there was little discussion about Iran. My message, therefore, was multi-faceted. On one hand, it conveyed to Iranians that France supports them, as evidenced by cultural institutions publicly displaying the name of Mahsa Amini. On the other hand, it served as a subtle rebuke to the French government, highlighting their failure to address the situation in Iran.
Although political discourse has improved in the past 4 months, it is crucial that we continue to raise awareness about Iran to help bring an end to the ongoing crisis. Museums and other cultural institutions both in France and abroad must not shy away from discussing Iran. I implore the cultural community to come together and support the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom. As institutions and as artists, it is our duty to speak out against oppression and not turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
Interview by Benjamin BENITA