Göteborg Film Festival

– Despite this darkness that exists around us, we must focus on the light in society. We must feel hope for the future. In any case, that is what I tell myself, says Aida Chehrehgosha, 2018 festival artist. 

Aida Chehrehgosha accepted the honor to make the artist poster for Göteborg Film Festival based on the 2018 year’s theme nationalism. The themes she usually works with is often serious and contains elements of violence, death and loneliness, but also a lot of humor.

– The first thought that emerged was to use an aesthetic that is stylish, simple, straight-forward, elevated and clear. It is an artistic grip that has been used for a long time and returns in as well films as in still images, both then and now. The most characteristic and recognizable during this time and era when you wanted to communicate and unite the people, make them feel like there is an “us” against “them”. Who are we and who are them is constantly changing, in all times, says Aida Chehregosha. 

– The second thought that appeared was which group is represented, how are they represented and who are allowed to be represented. And I think it is an important aspect of this. This is simply the new ideal, says the artist.

Despite this darkness that exists around us, we must focus on the light in society. We must feel hope for the future. In any case, that is what I tell myself. The background we stick ourselves proudly to, is my father’s unhealed wound from the war. It reminds me that we have to move forward. We have to put things behind us. The wound has never really healed. It gets infected, bleeds and reminds us. You know, like some wounds tend to do. Unwilling yet focused we walk towards the light with determined steps. Not knowing how it will be there but hoping for the best. That I often tell myself out loud, says Aida Chehrehgosha. 

Aida Chehrehgosha graduated in Fine Arts from Konstfack 2009 and 2011 from Kungliga konsthögskolan in Stockholm. She has since been active with exhibitions but she has also done scenography and costume for the critically acclaimed Utvandrarna by Vilhelm Moberg at Dramaten 2013, directed by Mats Ek. Chehrehgosha is represented by Galerie Forsblom in Stockholm.