Re-made in the USA
2018
In the United States, goods and services are abundant. The ubiquitous box-stores and theme restaurants create a homogeneous national experience so that no matter where one travels, it feels familiar. In contrast, my home Iran is still dominated by small family shops, each with its own set of goods that may vary in both price and quality on a region-by-region basis. I recognize that Iran is influenced by western capitalism and many of its people desire what they perceive as “modern” in the United States. Many (not all) Iranians DESIRE what they think is "American" culture. In essence, they are being "remade in the USA." They desire the material goods that define "success." They aspire to the same dream Americans aspire. The video juxtaposes the traditional bazaar captured by my family’s cell phone with a mechanized vending dispensary to suggest a transformation or homogenization in cultural values under globalism. Simultaneously, it suggests what is lost: community. The bazaar imagery is full of people and "life," while the vending area is mechanical and devoid of interaction except with machines. This contrast between cultures typifies some of the changes witnessed by those, like me, who are experiencing globalization on a personal level. This artwork explores these differences in perception, providing insight into the operations of globalization using video installation.