24 Hour Project is a global photography event that gathers all documentary and street photographers to take 24 photographs in 24 hours on the same day to be a storyteller of occurrences of their city.
There are places in Mashhad where labourers look for a client since early morning.
After Iran-Iraq war in 1980, some people from Abadan Provience immigrate to Mashhad and make their town with the same urban fabric.
A Muslim woman is praying in a gazebo.
A man each watching to fake graves in a exhibition about Mashhad city. These graves are a symbol of people who died in Iran-Iraq war.
A cleric ( Mullah ) is passing in front of the painting rapidly. The painting shows a group of women who rally for their freedom rights.
I was in the middle of the Holi celebration in Mathura city the reality of this celebration was completely different from my thoughts. Some of the Hindus drink "bhang" that makes with marijuana and they believe it makes them more cheerful. It was the beginning of a colorful war and each person was a lone ranger who was carrying a bag that was full of colorful powder as a weapon. They were throwing that colorful powder to bless each other as a welcoming celebration to spring.
Ashura and Tasoa are two days that Imam Husayn ( third Imam of Shia Muslims ) fight against Yazid army in the year 61 AH (in 680 CE) and died in the battlefield. Shia Muslim mourning every year in Ashura and Tasoa for remembrance of their Imam.
The act of migration has always been part of human nature. I grew up in a large family and lived with them for 29 years. In 2017, I decided to leave everything behind and pursue my passion for documentary photography. I was ready for that change, and I knew, because of what I had decided to do, I might not be able to see people and places for a long time or maybe for my entire life. 31 days before leaving Iran, I started taking pictures of my daily life routines. It was a long goodbye with all the places and people that I knew since I was born in Mashhad.
These photos show my journey. The number under each one represents the day that the photo was taken before leaving Iran. It was the way that I tried to memorize my past and move on.
It was a sad day. I had visited my dentist for the last times before my trip. Tahoura called me and asked me to visit her before I going home. on my way to Tahoura’s home, I was counting the days. There were only 31 days left. “You should record these days because you might never come back here” I told myself.
He came to Mashhad in the last days to meet me. His father was in the room with us. We had a lot of things to say but we chose the silence. He was in trouble because something that had happened about two weeks before that night but he couldn’t say anything about it.
I checked our Family Album. She was not young anymore. I am thinking about a specific scenario. What If something happens to my mom and I’m not would not there? What should I do in that situation?
We left this house about 13 years ago and this mirror is still on the bathroom wall. After all these years.
Mahsa had painted my eye in this frame and she gave it to me as my 27th birthday gift. I should leave it here because I am not allowed to bring any piece of wood to Canada which is due to the country’s environmental safety. This wall was full of my photos but they started to fall. Now, it is almost a simple wall.
I started my new documentary project which is “Innocence Criminals”. Wedding photography is the first part of this project. I am not sure if I can make it before I leave Iran.
Doctor comes after me to join other friends and have fun together outside of the city. It is raining and it is cold. I had a awful argument with my mom before I left home.
We were eight people when we started watching the movie. We heard four people outside, two couples, fighting. Mahsa is there to talk to them and make everything alright again. I received a text from Zohreh. Mom is so sad because of our fight and she is crying. I am crying too but in silence.
I couldn’t spend a lot of time in a closed area or with other people. I am trying to avoid meeting them. I should prepare myself to be alone. I found a red neon light on the vitrine of a store. I want to take a selfie.
I grew up here while I was following whatever other people told me to do for almost two-decade. After thirteen years I came back here and saw a visual joke. We have rented this place to a person who is selling traffic signs. Selling rules is in the nature of this home.
An empty chair next to a love sign with neon light. I guess everything started years ago when I was in love with you. Goodbye my lover.
They are studying English at Arzhang’s restaurant. I am copying our photos that we took since 2011 until now on my external hard drive.
I tried to take a photo for today but I couldn’t find anything interesting. I should punish my lazy eyes.
Mahsa was so happy tonight. "I want to post this photo for the day number thirteen" I told her. She gave me a lovely smile and said: "It’s funny I am your subject for day number 13 because my birthday is 13th day of next month”.
I stayed here last night at Arzhang’s home. If I want to tell a memory, I will mention his name a lot. I cut all of my connection with my friends for almost one year before this date. A few weeks ago he asked me a question with a sad smile: "Why did you come back after one year when you are leaving? Do you wanna remind how much I am going to miss you?"
Shot with NOMO INS W.
I have archived my memories in my mind. I have said goodbye to everyone almost. I am almost ready to go.
Arzhang and I went to a Salon. he asked me to stay at their home tonight with him and his parents. It was a surprise party. for my birthday. Happy birthday Reza. I hugged them to say “thank you”. I couldn’t say anything. I just cried.
Last night, my family had a surprise for my birthday too but I didn’t show up at home. I screwed up their plan and it makes me sad. They change their plan for tonight. Happy birthday dear Reza.
Mehdi, my brother,has invited us to his house. Zohreh is making up. Maryam is studying for IELTS. Mom is downstairs with Zahra. It is last week, and I should meet everyone for the last times.
I buy my last stuffs for cold winter of Canada. The store was next to Mellat Park. This park reminds me of my Childhood. My brother gave me a ride on a bicycle just to see this view. I might not be able to visit this place during the next six days.
Babak is here again for the long weekend. Zohreh asked me to do not drink alcohol tonight. Some people died, some people lose their sight because of alcohol poisoning during last month in Iran.
I met all of my friend together for last time tonight. then, I come back home to meet all of my family members together for last time. everyone try to hide their emotion to make some good memories but we know what is going on.
I met Dr. Khodadadi. She was my therapist four years ago. We review our session today. “Do you remember how sick were you when you came here for the first time?” she asked me and I replied yes. “It doesn’t get worse than that day. don’t worry” she told me. I printed some of my photos in 4X6 inch yesterday and show them to her. I let her to choose her favorites as a gift.
It is all I have after 29 years.
Now, here I am. It’s around 4:45 am. I will leave Iran in next 30 minutes. Everyone is sleeping except Maryam and Zohreh. I say goodbye in text and they wish me luck. I send some voice messages with a shaking voice to some of my close friends to say goodbye.
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest saltwater lake in the world. It is located east of the Black Sea, between southeastern Europe and Western Asia, and touches the north side of Iran. Million years ago, this lake was linked to the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
By definition, a sea has salty water and is connected to an ocean or other seas. Except for the salted water and its name, the Caspian Sea is a lake.
Over the years, this lake lost its connection with other seas but remained its other character as a sea. Its southern neighbour, Iran, has some similarities to this giant lake.
Before the Iran revolution in 1979, Iran was known as a land of myth. However, Iran started to be isolated from other countries a few years after the revolution and froze the picture of Iran. Now, the world might see Iran as a desert country with radically religious citizens.
Over time, governors are trying to modernize the revolution's appearance and its religious values to maintain the country's identity as the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, youths are trying to decline it and form society differently. Isolation and sanctions are an obstacle for people inside Iran to follow their dream and have their desirable life, but it does not stop them from modernizing their lifestyles.
It is not possible to provide a united visual picture of a country. The generations born after the revolution has changed society's texture over time. The old and new ages slowly reform Iran’s culture.
This project is a small window into Iran to show what it looks like four decades after the revolution.