Weaving and Music as Performance: A Collaboration by Monya Nikahd and Reza Filsoofi
This collaborative performance was a part of the exhibition “Interwoven: Stored Memories” at Coop Gallery, March 5th, 2022in Nashville, Tennessee. In the performance, Reza Filsoofi plays the setar along with Monya Nikahd using the floor loom as a percussion instrument.
In the practice of weaving, rhythm and pattern go hand in hand. As the music is playing, I am weaving on a warp similar to the rugs beneath, beating the looms a percussion instrument, and Reza plays the star in response. These rugs are the memorabilia, they symbolize memories from my early life as an Iranian American. The story follows my experiences surrounding grief as I am seen learning to adapt, and the desire to storing the memories and diaspora between cultures. Reza plays the setar, a string instrument played in traditional Iranian music. The two artists play intuitively; listening to each other’s rhythm to create music. The work connected can be seen here: Stored Memories.
“Reza Filsoofi is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer. His musical training began in Iran, under the tutelage of master musicians such as Mohamad Javad Zarrabian, Massod Shoaari, and Arash Farhangfar and under the supervision of the great master Naser Farhangfar. He plays santoor, setar, daf, and tonbak.”