FARMANFARMAIAN 2009.224a-f

In Lightning for Neda, over 4000 mirror shards in each panel activate myriad patterns. Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian mirror mosaic draws on an Iranian decorative technique known as aineh-kari, which uses pieces of broken mirror to decorate buildings. This approach dates back to the sixteenth century when mirrors, imported from Venice and Bohemia to Iran, arrived broken so craftspeople used this creative approach.

The six sides of the hexagon, which provide the underlying structure, are expanded and elaborately rendered. The hexagon is an important shape within Islamic geometry, and also has mystical connotations, representing for the artist the six directions (up, down, forward, backward, left, right) as well as the six virtues of generosity, self-discipline, patience, determination, insight and compassion.

Neda means 'voice' in Farsi. The title of the work pays homage to Neda Soltani, a 16-year-old Iranian female student killed in the streets of Tehran during the pro-democracy protests that followed the 12 June 2009 presidential elections.