Cities of a soul

2023, acrylic on laser-cut wood, plexiglas, 3D printing, 78 x 96 x 66 cm

When we trace the cities connected to ourselves, our parents, and our grandparents, we construct an imaginary map that shapes our identities through distinct cultures and personal histories. People migrate for various reasons: some are compelled by dire circumstances, others are survivors of genocide or oppression, while some seek better opportunities or the company of loved ones, or simply to explore new possibilities.

Visually, borders are merely lines – whether curved, straight, smooth, or jagged. Yet, a border also marks a division between states, simultaneously fostering a sense of belonging for those within its confines. The places where we, and our ancestors, were born or lived, imbue us with specific cultural influences. But how deeply do the cities of our forebears shape who we are? What legacies did they carry from their homes to us? How have their reasons for leaving influenced our own identities?

Cities of a Soul visualizes this concept as a three-dimensional family tree. Each layer denotes a city significant to my family lineage – Salmast, Akhaltsikhe, Tabriz, Batoumi, Tehran, Paris, Los Angeles, and Neuchâtel. These interconnected, irregular shapes forge new identities and forms through a rich tapestry of experiences. Transitioning from one location to another adds layers of experience and values, impacting not only the individual but also future generations.

* Hagop Karapents, A Man and a Country and Other Short Stories (Watertown: Blue Crane Books, 1994), 76.