Rebel
Artist, Designer, Art director, Choerographer, Dancer
Team
Individual
Scope
Pre-design to construction and Installation
Timeline
3 months
Client
Edmond College of Art Grant for a solo exhibition
Rebel is a narrative of emancipation expressed through visual art, architecture, and dance. Inspired by Rebellion, the poetry collection by Forough Farrokhzad, the project explores themes of liberation and self-discovery. The fabric structures symbolize breaking free from societal constraints, reflecting a spiritual journey toward authenticity.
Learn More
Highlights
Solo Exhibition – Edmond College Gallery, Seattle, WA (October–December 2023)
Featured sculptures, visual art projections, and a performance video with music. Read more
Group Exhibition –An Evolving Aesthetics of Interruption, Roundhouse Community Center, Vancouver, Canada (March 2024). Read more
Showcased Rebel within a broader exploration of artistic resistance and transformation.
The Background
How did it start..
I previously exhibited my work at the University of Washington in the Art as Activist exhibition. During this time, I was nominated for a solo show grant at Edmond College of Art, which became a pivotal opportunity for my work. While preparing for this, I was also envisioning and sketching new concepts. The project ultimately began with the grant from Edmond College Gallery, allowing me to bring my ideas to life.
Research and Define
This phase involved an in-depth exploration of form, meaning, and materiality. The fabric serves as a metaphor for skin—both individual and collective—under pressure. Studies on the interaction between material and movement helped shape the concept, ensuring that the structures convey a sense of transformation and emergence.
Ideate and Design
Multiple design iterations explored geometric and freeform structures, refining them through continuous experimentation. The study of fluidity, tension, and dynamic movement played a crucial role in shaping each piece, ensuring that they visually and conceptually align with the theme of rebellion.
Construction
The creation process involved pattern cutting, sewing, and integrating structural elements to achieve movement. Iterative refinements ensured that the sculptures remained faithful to the core concept, allowing for a seamless interplay between materiality and transformation.
Projection Art & Choreography
The performance aspect of Rebel incorporates visual projections of organic lines and calligraphy from Rebellion onto the fabric structures. The interplay of light, shadow, and form enhances the theme of emergence. The choreography, set to an improvised musical composition by Ali Alizadeh, deepens the immersive experience, adding a rhythmic and emotional layer to the piece.
Reflection
The project continues to evolve through its performances and exhibitions, engaging audiences in a dialogue on personal and collective transformation. Each iteration refines the relationship between form, movement, and meaning, reinforcing Rebel’s narrative of emancipation.
The process of bringing an idea to life—from initial imagination to final creation—is never a linear path. There are many ups and downs, moments of uncertainty, and constant cycles of revisiting and refining. It requires persistence, adaptability, and a deep connection to the concept, as each step reveals new insights and challenges that shape the final work.
