23 Kilograms of Memory

"23 Kilograms of Memory" is an exploration of the immigrant experience through a multidisciplinary lens. The project title refers to the standard weight limit of a single suitcase—the physical constraint of what one can carry when leaving a homeland.

This work investigates the "materiality of memory"—specifically how the history of a life in Iran travels across borders to unexpectedly "cling" to the everyday objects and spaces of a new life in Canada. Using a mix of thrifted textiles, used clothing, hand-woven elements, and painted surfaces, I create organic, soft sculptures that interact with their environment. These forms exist in relation to one another and the objects around them; they wrap around, drape over, or lean against domestic items, acting as physical anchors for the subconscious moments that transport us back to the places we left behind.

Below are the prototype images from the study: