The breaking of a Kouze – Aria Kiani

Wood, copper, sandstone, ceramic, glass, Shiraz wine, 40 x 40 x 150 cm.

Aria: “The breaking of a Kouze is a performative piece where I explore my ties to Iran’s culture as a UK-based artist, symbolised by carefully breaking a ceramic vessel to unveil its encased glass counterpart containing Shiraz wine. This practice mirrors the ethos of care learned from my family culture and resonates within the contemporary ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ cultural revolution. My own experience of being born in Shiraz, Iran and growing up elsewhere reflects the journey of Shiraz wine after the 1979 Iranian revolution.

 The vessels, placed on sandstone, copper, and wood, pay homage to Iranian craftsmanship. Using mason’s tools, I carefully chiselled away the ceramic, revealing a new form without sacrificing its potential. The precarious balance of not breaking the glass created a tense audience, akin to a country risking infrastructure and stability for freedom.”