Rebellion in Persepolis and the Teenage Realm

Freedom of expression of oneself is perhaps one of the most important things that a person can be granted. Especially during teenage years, when people are moving from childhood to adulthood, they are trying to figure out how they want to be perceived by the rest of the world, and even how they view themselves. In Persepolis, I recognized this common struggle between following the path that has been laid out for you by those before you, and creating one of your own. Often the latter is a tougher road, paved by rebellion and going against the natural grain of society, and the morals your family has raised you with.

It is through these photographs above that I tried to capture the angst, turmoil, confusion and eventual liberation that comes from the journey of self-discovery and self-creation. The graffiti pictures I think best represent the beauty that can be found in destruction. The writing signifies the obsession with things that are considered “taboo” and immoral. There is an inherent human characteristic that makes these things seem more enticing due to the sense of their “off limit-ness.” And in order to create something new, you must first break down what is old, and build upon its remains. The destruction might be ugly, it might not go the way you originally wanted it to but in the end, you can end up creating something beautiful. And that’s what I wanted to capture in these photographs, something that the general public might see as ugly, and vandalism, actually has a sense of beauty. Because there is beauty in the struggle that ultimately yields success.

The picture of the two lights in the dark represents to me, the mysterious and almost seductive nature that night presents to people in times of great distress or confusion. Night is a time when our insecurities and inhibitions are covered by the darkness, and not exposed by the light of day. Psychologically, we become of a different mind during the night. Our creative minds come out, our curious mind. We are eager to push the limits a little more. Those things that during the day seem out of reach, all at once become possible once the sun goes down.

The final two photos represent to me, a young woman discovering her own personal sense of beauty and expression. The intense, provoking gaze, the subtle smile, all create a feeling of personal discovery, a little playfulness, a sense of intimacy. All these things are things that women are often shamed for, in numerous cultures throughout the world. Women aren’t supposed to explicate their beauty, or even really realize it, yet when they do, and celebrate it, I think that’s beautiful.