A transhistorical Quest for Equality and Democracy

The exhibition "Valleys of the Simorgh" arose from the INTRA project of the same name and is based on the legacy of the "The Conference of the Birds" written by the Persian poet Aṭṭār in 1177. Following the structure of the tale, the exhibition and accompanying catalogue are divided into seven valleys: Valley of the Quest (Ahmadjan & Maren Amini), Valley of Love (Tanja Boukal), Valley of Knowledge (Monika Huber), Valley of Detachment (Ali & Maheen Kazim), Valley of Unity (Anahita Razmi), Valley of Wonderment (Mohsin Shafi) and Valley of Poverty and Annihilation (Farkhondeh Shahroudi). In these valleys, the political sphere of Attār's narrative becomes the subject of inspiration for contemporary artists, while at the same time the artworks tell of the collective struggle for freedom and equality.