Whose body?, 2012

“The body without organs is not a stage, or a place, or even a space where something happens, but rather raw material that occupies space at a certain level.” — Gilles Deleuze

Between 2011 and 2013, I did an independent personal project called “Wherever Whatever,” which included trips to different and mostly remote places in the world. The imperative commitment for me during this journey was to never stay in any hotel rooms or inns, and this action itself deeply connected me with the daily and real life of the native people of each city and region, and removed any kind of distance between us. Documentary photography and small personal performances were other must-do’s along the way. Numerous moments of ‘death and life’ were experienced during these unplanned trips, many of which may be impossible for anyone to even believe.

On this trip, while exploring French philosopher Deleuze’s concept of “Body without Organs,” I joined Dhamma Setu Vipassana Meditation Center in Chenna (eastern India) as a volunteer and course participant. After the course, I continued my journey to Goa (western India), and after a month, I returned to Tehran.