Saba Yazdjerdi Shares Iranian Motion, Inspiring Poet + Extra

Born in Tehran, Iran, Saba Yazdjerdi is an architect and artist whose work investigates her Iranian and multi-cultural heritage by means of object, areas, and supplies. Raised in Tehran, Saba has lived in Colorado, Rhode Island, Bangkok, New York, and California all through her life. Fascinated by the human expertise, she explores themes of id and belonging by means of a brand new lens that seeks to embrace, protect, and have a good time Iranian tradition.

With this in thoughts, her work achieves a dual-purpose: reimagining her private narrative and giving Iran’s wealthy cultural previous new life. For her debut assortment, The Pahlevoon Sequence, (c. 2021-present) Yazdjerdi explores the important thing attributes of Pahlevani – an Iranian martial artwork, steeped in moral rules, athletic rituals, and historical Persian beliefs.

At present, Saba Yazdjerdi joins us for Friday 5!

Picture: Saba Yazdjerdi

1. Girls, Life, Freedom

As you may know, with the horrific occasions that occurred to Mahsa Amini a couple of weeks in the past in Iran, there’s a lot happening in my residence nation in the mean time. Many individuals are sacrificing and risking their lives for democracy and freedom. “Girls, life, freedom” is the slogan of the Iranian motion.
And whereas that is troublesome, I additionally consider that partaking in a combat for rights and freedom is intoxicating. When one thing like this occurs, every day routines lose significance, and the motion takes heart stage in our lives… despite the fact that I’m a spectator and cheerleader overseas. Witnessing Iranian ladies main the cost within the protests has been a every day supply of inspiration for me. For those who haven’t had an opportunity to examine it, I encourage you to. And please be part of us in amplifying the voices or Iranian ladies.

Chichu Artwork Museum Photograph: Mitsuo Matsuoka

2. The Chichu Artwork Museum

Positioned on the island of Naoshima in Japan, The Chichu Artwork Museum is a site-specific museum designed by Tadao Ando. It’s one in every of my favorites. Constructed underground, the constructing avoids altering the view of the ridge and reveals us how human beings ought to and may stay in nature. As you progress by means of the museum, the constructing wraps round you in a manner that lends these gorgeous geometric openings to the sky. The constructing actually captures the ethos of the island and represents how design permits us to “stay effectively” in my eyes.

Photograph courtesy Soharb Sepehri

3. Sohrab Sepehri

I really feel blessed to have the ability to learn Persian poets in Farsi. Hafez, Rumi, and Forough Farrokhzad are the most effective identified internationally, however modern poet, Sohrab Sepehri, is one I join with probably the most. My father used to recite his poems by coronary heart on a regular basis once I was a toddler. I learn and take heed to his Sedaye Payeh Ab – The Water’s Footsteps – as a supply of meditation.

Photograph: Saba Yazdjerdi

4. Fermentation

I’m a vegetarian and have a keenness for cooking and exploring how totally different dishes are made. Three years in the past, once I was residing in Bangkok, my curiosity for southeast Asian delicacies led me to the world of fermentation. Fermentation is the transformation of 1 ingredient into one other with the assistance of a microbe. Miso and tempeh have been my favourite sources of protein ever since. The e book The Noma Information to Fermentation helped me be taught concerning the course of. I hope to in the future have the prospect to expertise Noma – one of many top-ranked eating places on this planet – which is situated in Copenhagen.

Glen Canyon Park, San Francisco Photograph: James Gaither

5. Mountain climbing

The very best a part of my week are the Saturday morning retreats in nature I’ve with my husband. We’re so fortunate to stay in San Francisco, which affords an array of pure areas very shut by. We finish the week with mountaineering and discovering a second to get away from our busy lives and chill out. Easy joys like these are a very good reminder of what’s important. These jiffy on prime of a mountain are like a chiropractor’s go to for my thoughts.

Work by Saba Yazdjerdi:

Kabbadeh chin Photograph: Nopanon Itthiakarapong

Mil Ga Photograph: Nopanon Itthiakarapong

Mil Stone Bench Photograph: Nopanon Itthiakarapong

Sang ru Photograph: Nopanon Itthiakarapong

Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and author has had a deep love of artwork and design for so long as she will bear in mind, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by nice artwork and design, she may be discovered making a multitude within the kitchen, consuming as a lot info as potential, or on the sofa together with her three pets. Discover her @designcrush on social.