Bay Area Now 5

Theory of Survival: Bay Area Now 5 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

July 19-August 24, 2008
Opening Reception: July 19, 7-10 pm

Participating Artists: Reza Aramesh, Gita Hashemi, Taraneh Hemami, Leila Pazooki

Theory of Survival brings together artists of the Iranian Diaspora to respond to a historical archive belonging to the Iranian Students Association of Northern California active from 1964-1984. Bound by a common language, historical circumstances, and the experience of migration and exile, each artist brings his/her own curiosity, attachments, connections and stories to respond to this library of underground publications and banned books reflecting the theoretical framework of its era. At YBCA Bay Area Now 5, Theory of Survival creates a unique opportunity for Iranian artists from across the globe to interact with these archives of passionate discourse, theorizing devotional sacrifice to create a dialogue and exchange that investigates notions of martyrdom, heroism, freedom, survival, and loss. In this way the archives become a vehicle for reconnecting, remembering, and renegotiating historical events of personal, national, regional and global significance.

Theory of Survival is a continuation of the CrossConnections project that engages the Iranian diaspora community in an intergenerational, creative dialogue about issues of cultural identity, preservation, and representation.

www.theoryofsurvival.com/