Tooraj Khamenehzadeh
Tooraj Khamenehzadeh is an Iranian-born artist based in New York. He began his artistic practice in theater before transitioning to photography and video art. His current work centers on photography and image-based projects, occasionally incorporating elements from his background in theater.
His work has been featured in festivals, exhibitions, biennials, and art fairs around the world, including the 4th Jeju Biennale (South Korea), Iran Photo Biennial (Iran), Polyforme Video Art Festival (France), Chongqing Photo and Video Biennale (China), the International Art Festival (Nepal), Now&After Video Art Festival (Russia), Milan Image Art Fair (Italy), and Photo London (UK). He has also participated in numerous international exchange programs and artist residencies, including Theertha (Sri Lanka), Khoj (India), SaNsA (Ghana), Vasl (Pakistan), and Organhaus (China).
I’m Not a Song To Be Sung
Multi-Channel Video Installation, color high-definition, sound, 3min 30sec looped, 2018-2019
Three figures rise unexpectedly from murky water. They belong to a generation that has endured years of war and unrelenting social pressure since the Iranian Revolution. Gazing directly into the camera, they recite verses by Ahmad Shamlu, renowned for his unflinching criticism of Iran’s societal absurdities.
Their lips move slowly as bubbles swirl rapidly around them, yet their voices remain submerged, never reaching us. Even under the suffocating weight of the water, which suppresses both body and voice, they continue to sing a poem we cannot hear. This silent recitation becomes a powerful declaration—one in which resistance is expressed through presence alone.
