it cannot be called traveling

2017-2018

نه آنجا به ما خوش گذشت Neither we enjoyed it there

نه اینجا nor here

اسم دربدری ها را سفر گذاشته اند They called displacement; trav

با چمدانی with a suitcase

سنگین از آرزوها heavy of dreams

در آوارگی ها پیر می شویم we are getting old in this deracination

از غربتی wandering from one place

به غربتی دیگر رفتن سفر نیست to another, is not traveling,

حرکت ناگزیر باد است is an inevitable act of wind

ازشهری به شهر دیگر from one city to another

Rasoul Yunan (trans. Negar)

Since change is inevitable and moving or immigration are major forms of it, my work explores the idea of displacement, especially on a personal level. I focus on the memories of places people once lived and the absent objects they left behind—whether lost through growing up, moving, or death—and how these absences shape our lives. Memories of former homes often make it difficult to fully settle elsewhere. To express the vulnerability and instability caused by displacement, I use paper as a fragile material and light as a way to revive remembrance. Although my work began with my own experiences, I hope it can spark the memories of others as well.

Adapting to a new place brings many changes, while memories of a hometown remain a constant thread to the past, whether pleasant or painful. Sometimes the feeling of not belonging pushes you to move anywhere else—even to places where you may also not belong. I don’t want to say I had no choice; I chose to leave. But it cannot be called travelling, because there is no home anywhere.