Two works by Newsha Tavakolian (1981, Iran) are featured in the exhibition. The installation For the Sake of Calmness is Tavakolian’s most personal project to date. It explores the mental state she, and many others, experience in the days leading up to menstruation: PMS. This condition alters her perception of the world in a disorienting way, heightening her awareness. In this video, she attempts to capture that experience, drawing parallels to the current state of her homeland, Iran.

Newsha Tavakolian

The second work, which is exclusive to the Helmond edition of Close Enough, is the installation Look. Tavakolian created this piece in 2012, at a time when she was forbidden by the Iranian regime to work on the streets. Every day at 8:00 PM, she set up her camera on a tripod in her bedroom and photographed her neighbours. In the background, the concrete apartment building that has been her view for years serves as a metaphor for the lives of others. The result is a series of portraits of middle-class Iranian youth, a generation struggling to build a life in a country where hope for the future is scarce. Tragically, this work is more relevant than ever, given the current situation in Iran.

Still image from a 20 minutes film by Newsha Tavakolian, called ‘For the Sake of Calmness’. © Newsha Tavakolian/Magnum Photos

Interview

Giya Makondo-Wills interviews Tavakolian, together with Rob Hornstra from the Fotodok Book Talks / Fotodok Utrecht. Makondo-Wills is a British-South African documentary photographer, visual artist, educator and talk show host living in the Netherlands.

Giya Makondo-Wills

Program & info

• Entrance and hall open from 2 p.m., reception with free coffee and tea.
• Start of interview: 2:30 PM.
• End of interview: approx. 3:30 PM
• Location: Ridderzaal Helmond Castle
• Spoken language: English
• Participation costs: €10.00 per person excluding museum entrance. The Museum Card and Friends Lottery VIP CARD are not valid for the Art Café.
• You are welcome to visit the exhibition before or after the interview (buy your ticket online via the ‘Entrance ticket’ button on this page or at the museum desk).
• You can have a drink in the Kasteelcafé (for a fee).