Momentography of a failure [Kurdistan]

© 2018 Nafiseh Fathollahzadeh, 21x29.7 cm, 52 Pages, Inkjet print, Saddle Stitch .

Momentography of a failure [Kurdistan] focuses on geopolitical landscape of border between Iran and Irag.

The Kurds, who share a unique language and whose mountainous territory spans in Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria, have a long history of oppression and fierce armed struggle in these countries.

After the collapse of the Ottoman and Qajar empires and the subsequent B/ordering of these modern states, Iraq, Iran and Turkey each agreed to oppose the creation of an independent Kurdistan and making them one of the largest stateless minority group in the world.
Among Kurdish–Turkish conflict, Iraqi-Kurdish conflict, and Kurdish–Syrian conflict, Kurdish–Iranian conflict is an ongoing long-running, separatist dispute between the Kurdish opposition in Western Iran and the governments of Iran since 1918.
The proclamation issued by Iranian government which declared Kurdistan as a non-safe economic zone, caused lack of financial investment and unemployment in the region. As a result, for people living in Kurdistan, there is no other way than smuggling to earn a living.
Momentography of a failure [Kurdistan] tries to depict geo economical aspect of the ongoing conflict in the Kurdish region of Iran. In the last years, Zagros Mountains has witnessed the increasing number of workers (Couriers) shot, arrested or blackmailed by Iranian border guards. Despite all these risks Thousands of villagers of young and old age risk their lives for approximately $8 dollars for each journey. Couriers make several trips daily, carrying on their backs or on mules goods such as electronics, clothing, cigarettes or illegal items such as alcohol and satellites which is banned in Iran.