Humans face new parts of their spirit throughout each crisis in their lives; aspects which may not have that much of a chance to express themselves throughout routine life. During a crisis, a person having lost normalcy, imagines that they have lost the light by which they create an image of the world around and recognize it, so they see themselves in the darkness. Although not all humans stay in the darkness. They search within themselves instead of depending on the source of light which lights up their life, the world and path.
The Corona Virus pandemic and the quarantine derived from it was a break amid a speedy daily life, everything has slowed down, communication has been limited and it feels as if we are left alone.
An isolation which is changing people’s view of themselves, their lives and the world around them. It seems as if the solitude derived from quarantine has changed the definition of daily life in a lot of people’s minds.
A new definition of self and the world which comes from re-defining social, romantic and professional relationships and it’s more personal and internal abilities rather than everyday connections. In this new world humans are defined according to themselves not by their relation to others.
By eradicating unnecessary daily relationships, lack of the usual gatherings with friends, family members and co-workers, we have more leisure time than we can imagine, and we have to spend this time on our own, not at work or parties, cafés or recreational centers; in these cold dark days, a lot of people find light within themselves and re-define themselves, discover and recover their forgotten abilities, spend time on their interests, instead of seeking light from the others fruitlessly. They use the time they formerly spent on everyday matters, communication and trivial activities.
In this collection, I have photographed women who referred to their roots, despite their different roles in their social everyday lives. Women who have used the light within them and relied on their productive mentality and feminine creativity to create conditions in whom instead of letting their roles define them, they have taken action and defined who they are. They have morphed into sources of light and enlightened their own lives, the light which creates life, from which creation and birth are derived, the most beautiful and feminine light in the world: the light of life.
Negar: She is an independent woman who works. She has a skin-care and beauty center which produces all the products it sells. She couldn’t go to the clinic during the recent quarantine, so she decided to start pottery after 11 years again. She says that it’s enjoyable for her to touch the wet clay.
Samaneh: She is a housewife. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, she was occupied with majoring in psychology when due to Corona virus pandemic, universities were closed. While in quarantine, she decided to learn self make-up and started teaching make-up through You Tube. She practices self make-up at home.
Asal: She’s a painter and before quarantine she held and taught painting courses or tutored learners privately. Throughout the recent quarantine she felt that her muscles are weakening due to lack of mobility and physical activities and she felt that she’s gaining weight. So, she decided to work out at home to strengthen her muscles and go on a proper diet.
Mojdeh: She’s a rugby player and coach. Before the lockdown, she registered in a Setaar (an Iranian musical instrument) playing course. But because of Corona and quarantine she couldn’t keep going. Now she practices at home and gets tutored online once in a while.
Shohreh: She is a retired woman. Before lock down (quarantine) she used to hang out a lot with her friends but now she hasn’t gone out since the corona virus. She has to take care of herself because she has diabetes and her doctor told her to take care of herself even more,and now she spends most of her time with reading and doing puzzle .
Parisa: She’s a fitness and Tai Chi trainer. She was at the gym almost all day and now because of Corona virus and being quarantined, she’s found out about her interest in baking cakes and she makes diet cakes in the evening every day.
Sepideh: She is a gold and jewellery designer and maker, and she started a new job before quarantine and this new job is nail designing and now because of corona virus she can’t do it anymore so she is practicing on her own nails and she says this quarantine and corona virus will finally end and l have to be a professional in nail designing.
Mozhgan: She is an independent woman and she lives alone but nevertheless she says the quarantine situation is hard for her. Right now she is working in Business Company and now the company is closed because of quarantine and sanction and she stayes at home and she says thank God l have this cats and l am busy with them.
Parvaneh: She is a painter and sculptor. She works in a graphic company but now the company is closed because of corona virus so she decided to learn and do embroidery professionally. Right now she is running a page on Instagram about in embroidery and she also has sold some items online.
Soudabeh: She is a bodybuilder and a coach at a gym club and now when all the gyms are closed, she started to learn crocheting after 17 years. She says she liked knitting and crocheting a lot when she was a teenager but she couldn’t learn them because of her life and job situation and now as she is staying at home she is learning them online from one of her friends.
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