"Es ist naiv zu glauben, dass Bomben Freiheit bringen"
Iranian-born artist Peyman Rahimi discusses the profound impact of his childhood experiences during the Iran-Iraq War and his subsequent mandatory military service on his creative practice. Breaking a long-held silence, Rahimi argues against the naivety of believing that military interventions or foreign bombings can bring true freedom to Iran, emphasizing that war only generates new trauma and suffering. He highlights the central role of Iranian women in the struggle for change, noting that their resilience remains the most potent threat to the current regime.
This interview is significant as it bridges the gap between personal wartime trauma and contemporary geopolitical discourse within the art world. Rahimi’s perspective challenges the celebratory rhetoric found among some exile communities regarding military strikes, providing a nuanced critique of how systemic violence is physically and psychologically stored. His insights offer a deeper understanding of his aesthetic choices—utilizing materials like wire, metal, and sandbags—as reflections of a reality where protection and threat are inextricably linked.