“Diaspora Letters” is a deeply thoughtful multimedia art project that explores the struggles and anxieties that ordinary people, who find themselves caught in the middle of the American-Iranian political tension, experience on a daily basis. This beautiful project shows how the simple relationships and everyday habits are affected by the political climate that exacerbates the social life and community of the diaspora.
The artist behind this project is Beeta Baghoolizadeh. She was born and raised in Los Angeles to Iranian immigrant parents. She studied Iranian Studies and International Development Studies for her BA, and Middle East Studies for her MA, and is currently an Assistant Professor of History and Africana Studies.
Baghoolizadeh’s rich academic experience, thirst for knowledge, and critical thinking have made her project, Diaspora Letters, an apt and sincere portrayal of the situations that Iranians in the US find themselves in.
Baghoolizadeh launched Diaspora Letters on Instagram in September of 2017. She began the project as a response to the growing tensions and anxieties that caused misunderstanding and xenophobia in both countries. In her project, she tries to show the beauty that gets lost behind the veil of politics. Her project is now expanding to include a graphic history book and a documentary film.
Take a look.
