Vol. 1, Ch. I: Why is she doing this project?

“… having seen Parvaneh Photomontage art work
I wanted to comment on the degree of professionalism
that her work embodies.
I think that it is important to stress that aesthetics aside,
it is refreshing to see sublime work presented
as practice as research.
This is important, particularly as she is using
the presentation of 'harmony' in an Aristotelian way
to reveal her transcultural struggle underpinned
by her religious and philosophical belief.
Not to have this as an example of good practice from a different, as she put it 'illegitimate cultural' perspective, would be a great shame.”
(Taiwo 2008)

An Illegitimate Cultural Perspective: Parvaneh’s work demonstrates elements of her rich Persian heritage within the perspective of the western culture. Although as a Bahá’í she has been brought up with the notion of one world citizenship, but she finds herself struggling with having to be accepted by the measurements which is expected from her in the west, on one hand and those which are expected from her by the eastern artistic norms and the Islamic regime of Iran on the others.

“Although the event of my birth has provided me
with a natural Licence to Live, I do not seem to fit in to the cultural norms and I tend to resist to confirm with them.
My PhD. project is an attempt to recognise the person I am and to identify the reasons and factors
which have contributed to the way I am.
The outcomes of this process, would hopefully, provide me with a systematic and therapeutic agenda
which would help me to accept myself as I am
and indicate a progressive path into my future.”
(Farid 2008)

Parvaneh’s project seems to be building a bridge between two cultures, the east and the west, while continuing referencing to newly developed school of thought with a global vision; the Bahá’í faith. The story of her journey may benefit those who wish to study the life of a woman who was not accepted by her own culture neither was she by the culture of the country she took refuge to. The outcomes of this study may be especially interesting, because she is being interviewed, analysed and interpreted by herself, looking at her own body, mind and spirit within the contexts of these conflicting cultures.


Why the use of Internet Technology:

“A mechanism of world inter-communication
will be devised embracing the whole planet,
freed from national hinderances and restrictions,
and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity.
(Rabbani 1978)

"I am now convinced, that the use of the website
is an appropriate format to deliver your project…”
(Boyce-Tillman 2008)

The other beneficiary aspect of Parvaneh’s project is her interest in the use of innovative artistic method of expression and the use of new technology which has not been experimented much within academic arena. The modern inter-global technology is here to stay and sooner or later its capabilities for being used as a format to submit academic thesis will be established.

Public Art: Parvaneh has also a great interest in sharing her findings with the general public and believes that the internet technology can facilitate her with the most effective means to share her work with the people across the globe. Hence she maintains a rather extended webside of her work; http://www.latelierpapillon.co.uk/ .

“The art within the walls of an exhibition is as alive as fish is inside a can.
I believe that the arts should be where people are,
and not in possession of a few privileged members of the society.
The real public art can only be found in the graffiti around the cities
and on the websites and weblogs of the unknown artists.
The graffiti and websites are free from the influence of the marked
and the censorship of kinds.
Hence, I use the internet technology
to communicate my art work to the people.”
(Farid 2008)