Art 21 Artist Tara Madani

Art 21 showcases the work of many great artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and looking for ways to express themselves and their ideas. Tara Madani is an Iranian artist who seeks to juxtapose opposites, such as men and women, strive to question some of the stereotypes that exist in our modern society.

Here are some links to videos that feature Tara and her work on Art 21.

http://www.art21.org/videos/preview-tala-madani-in-season-8-of-art21-art-in-the-twenty-first-century-2016

http://www.art21.org/videos/segment-tala-madani-in-los-angeles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vocCwTsVz3s

While watching the episode that features Tala, I had many different questions or ideas pop up in my mind. Most of these questions were inspired by something she would say or do during the video. Below are the various questions I thought would be good to talk about as a way to think more deeply about the type of art that Tala makes.

Entering spaces

Entering a space where you “don’t” belong

Entering a space because you should belong

What does it mean to enter a space?

How do we enter spaces?

What is the resistance to entering a space?

The smiley as religious

What other cultural ideas are becoming “religious?”

What are some of the sources of “light” in society?

How does satire help creativity?

How do these strange images help us think about life?

What does the voice of God sound like?

Cultural difference between Iran and US stories involving kids.

What is the relationship between adults and children?

How is controlled behavior the oppressor?

How are we oppressed by social norms?

How are we oppressed by our own inhibitions?

What do our views of oppression say about our own oppression?

How are we oppressed?

How is misbehavior redemptive?