What's your Iranian-American object portraiture?

Dualism is part of my thesis project exploring the identity of Iranian-Americans through the use of object portraiture. The idea is to better understand the Iranian-American demographic through the objects that we keep around and associate as part of our identity.

I am Shiva Alipour and a graduate student at Pratt Institute working on my Masters in Communication Design. Thanks for taking the time to look at and hopefully participate in this project. I was born in Shiraz, Iran and move to the United States with my family around the age of 5, making me a first-generation Iranian-American.

What to do…

1. Gather a few (it could be one or thirty) objects that you keep around the house (or office, car, etc.). The objects should collectively show whatever you feel is or is part of your Iranian-American identity.

2. Once you have gathered these items, take a photo.

3. Submit your photo using the submit button on the right of the page.

4. Please also include in your submission a list or description of what the items are.

Link to Participate

Here are a few samples

Submitted by Yasaman

“In this picture is the Termeh (special hand woven table cloth) that belonged to my great grandma and I got it as part of my dowry and since my immigration I use it for Persian New Year. The box is hand crafted and it’s always on my desk to keep small items. My beloved poetry books. Khatamkari picture frames that adorn my old photos. Mortar and pestle, for grinding saffron and khatamkari saffron box”

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Submitted by Farzad

I usually spend most my time with these objects; A laptop, My Facebook, My Email, My Voice and video communication software to chat with my friends and family, A cup of hot Iranian tea, And a few dates.

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Submitted by Zad

Persian sugar holder. Makes the tea drinking experience more Persian

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Submitted by Melody.

 Piano, Ipod, Pomegranate, Postcard

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