Upheaval in the Alaei family, photographers of Iran: "Life will never be the same again"
In the heart of the 2019 Israeli-Iran clashes, Iranian photographer Forough Alaei captured unique and intimate moments of family life within Iran, offering a powerful, personal visual record of a historic moment for the nation.
Abbas Abad and Sari, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, became Alaei's temporary home as she sought refuge there with her family, leaving Tehran two days after the start of the bombings. The journey, which usually takes less than four hours, was extended to sixteen hours due to heavy traffic congestion.
Alaei's niece, Tiara, was terrified during the journey, her young mind grappling with the reality of the clashes between Israel and Iran. The family's ordeal was further compounded when the internet access in Tehran was cut off on June 18, making it difficult for loved ones to stay connected. Only those equipped with VPNs could maintain contact.
Alaei's work offers an intimate and unvarnished portrait of family life scenes during the clashes, providing a perspective that is free from clichés of the population under the Islamic regime. Her photographs offer a rare and personal perspective on how geopolitical tensions affected everyday life within Iran, focusing on domestic scenes that reveal the emotional and social realities faced by families during that period.
One source referencing Alaei's work highlights the profound impact of the conflict on her own family, encapsulating a sense that "nothing will ever be the same again" for them. This suggests that her photography not only documents events but also deeply conveys the human cost and transformation experienced within Iranian households amidst the clashes.
Unfortunately, detailed collections or exhibitions of these photographs are not prominently cited in the given search results, and there is no direct link to viewing the images. However, the reference from a reputable news archive (Le Monde) confirms the significance of Alaei’s photographic narrative around this topic.
After the ceasefire on June 27, Alaei wrote that her family was experiencing two contradictory feelings: the desire to return to a normal life and anxiety about the future. Further exploration through major news archives or photography platforms may provide access to the actual photographic works and deeper context.
In summary, Forough Alaei’s photography during the 2019 Israeli-Iran clashes stands out for its unique portrayal of family life under strain, offering a powerful, personal visual record of a historic moment for Iran.
Forough Alaei, having found temporary refuge in Abbas Abad and Sari, began to capture unique photographic documentation of her family's lifestyle during the 2019 clashes. This collection includes scenes of outdoor-living, home-and-garden, intimately portraying domestic life amidst the geopolitical tensions that Iran faced.
