Div Movement

Installation and Performance

March 2022

DIV is an art project that challenges societal norms and expectations placed on women. Through the DIV project. I aim to showcase women as warriors who fight against societal boundaries to protect their freedom. This fight is often internal and manifests in the form of physical battles that take place within a woman’s mind and body. The project features the growth of a horn, symbolizing the monstrous creatures within Persian mythology called DIV, on the head of a woman as she battles for her rights and freedoms. DIV is a message of hope, a reminder that together we can create a world where women are free to be warriors, protectors, and leaders.

DIV Street Performance

DIV project is a movement that challenges the status quo and breaks unwritten rules. Our journey began by boldly appearing in traditionally masculine urban spaces, asserting our presence and demanding attention. I believe that art should not be confined to galleries and museums, but rather should exist and thrive in the midst of everyday life. Art is not just a reflection of society, but an active force that shapes it.

DIV Video Art

“DIV” video art intimately explores a woman’s journey of self-reclamation within a traditionally masculine world. The narrative unfolds as she transitions from the enclosed space of a basement in an old house, shedding the traditional burqa that once defined her public presence.
Emerging into the outside world, a space historically dominated by masculine norms, the protagonist undergoes a profound metamorphosis. This transformation is visually symbolized by the gradual growth of a horn on her head, a striking manifestation of her evolving identity and strength.
The horn emerges not as an external imposition, but as an internalized embodiment of her struggles and triumphs. Each obstacle overcome, each societal pressure confronted, contributes to its growth, transforming it into a living testament to her resilience.
The video culminates in a powerful moment of silent catharsis. The protagonist, now adorned with her horn, unleashes a silent scream – a visceral expression of the societal constraints she has overcome. This is followed by a dance of liberation, celebrating the birth of this unique and potent symbol of her journey.

DIV Installation

Div then moved to the Dayhim Cultural House, where a video installation was held. This installation featured a video and an interactive object that could be worn by the audience.

Div Interactive Photography Room

Following the experience of the “DIV” video installation, audiences were invited to enter an interactive photography room. This space served as a powerful extension of the video’s themes, allowing visitors to engage directly with the narratives of everyday, struggling women. Within the room, visitors were immersed in stories of daily fights, rights denied, and obstacles faced by women striving to achieve their aspirations. These narratives, echoing the spirit of “DIV,” provided a backdrop for a unique participatory experience. Drawing inspiration from the video installation, the photography room offered interactive elements: the horn and the burqa from “DIV Video.” Visitors were invited to wear these symbolic objects, transforming themselves into protagonists of their own lives and fighters for their own rights. By embodying the visual language of “DIV” and stepping into the narratives of resilience, audience members were empowered to create new stories through their own performances and interactions. The photography room became a dynamic space where the themes of the video installation were not just observed, but lived and reinterpreted, forging a powerful connection between the artwork and the individual experiences of its audience.