Newsha Tavakolian – Magnum Photos
And They Laughed At Me

© Newsha Tavakolian / Magnum Photos

FROM OCTOBER 7 TO NOVEMBER 11

And They Laughed At Me
By Newsha Tavakolian – Magnum Photos

“In And They Laughed at Me, Newsha Tavakolian delves into her archives, not to highlight her best work, but to uncover images never intended for public viewing. The technically flawed photos from her youth reveal typical mistakes of an inexperienced photojournalist. These early works, taken between 1996 and 1999, provide a philosophical insight into her evolution. They document significant moments and personal snapshots, weaving a rich tapestry of Iran’s internal life during a politically charged era.
Tavakolian’s journey from novice to acclaimed photojournalist is intertwined with Iran’s socio-political landscape. Starting her career at just 16, she worked amidst the hope and aspirations of President Khatami’s time, marked by a push for reforms amidst cultural isolation. Her images from this period reflect the challenges she faced, capturing the essence of a society striving for change. Yet, there is no nostalgia in her reflection. Instead, her dark, melancholic view highlights the unfulfilled promises of that hopeful era. The photos, once discarded, now carry new meanings, echoing the ongoing struggles for freedom and change in Iran.
The exhibition’s concluding piece, a photo of a young girl smelling a rose, symbolizes this shattered hope. Tavakolian repeatedly alters this image, ultimately tearing and reassembling it, reflecting her internal turmoil and shifting perspectives. This act of destruction and reconstruction signifies an acceptance of the past’s unchangeable nature and a quest for personal authenticity. In And They Laughed at Me, Tavakolian bids farewell to a melancholic past, seeking a future grounded in her own truth.” Haleh Anwari

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Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Baron Gérard
37, rue du Bienvenu

Open every day
10 am to 12.30 pm
and 2 pm to 6 pm
Free Admission

This exhibition was created in association with :