As part of European Month of Photography Berlin the exhibition Cast out of Heaven // رانده شدهها از بهشت from Iranian photographer Hashem Shakeri is being presented by Anahita Contemporary. The location for the show is KantGaragen, a rough concrete former parking garage in Charlottenburg. For me, it’s the perfect place for Anahita Sadighi and co-curator Lilja-Ruben Vowe to share these powerful works. The juxtaposition of the raw background and the apocalyptic photographs triggers a sense of unease. Looking at the works, your eye is drawn to everyday life in Iran through pastel focal points. I find myself wondering how such poetic beauty survives in this bleak context. The answer: resilience. Hashem Shakeri tells the story of Iranian society’s resilience with skill and symbolism. It’s a resilience that is repeatedly challenged – be it by climate change, covid or, most recently, the feminist protest movement. You can share in and celebrate the works at the Norouz event on 24.04.2023 which marks Iranian new year. A moving exhibition in a striking location, this is not one to be missed.
Text: Ava Houshmand / Credit: Hashem Shakeri Cast Out of Heaven, Anahita Contemporary
Born in Offenbach, Ava moved to Berlin in 2015. Since then, she has enjoyed exploring the city’s vibrant cultural landscape while working to make it even more diverse and inclusive through her anti-racism work.
Anahita Contemporary at stilwerk KantGaragen, Kantstr.125, 10625 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
Cast out of Heaven, until 01.04.2023
Tue–Fri 11–19h & Sat 11–16h. Curatorial tours: 11.03.2023 & 25.03.2023, both at 13h. Norouz New Year’s Party 24.03.23 from 19h.
