Humans are all children of Adam and Eve and come from the same roots and family. Our joys and sorrows are shared; any country’s suffering, pain, and oppression are bitter to all humans, while any blossom of happiness will bring joy to all humanity. As said in a poem by the Iranian poet Saadi Shirazi:
Of One Essence is the Human Race,
Thusly has Creation Put the Base.
One Limp impacted is sufficient,
For all Others to feel the Mace.
Following the central theme of the 60th Art Biennale, “Foreigners Everywhere,” the Islamic Republic of Iran presents its exhibition under the title Of One Essence is the Human Race,
to highlight that the true value of art lies in respecting humanity, displaying justice, and not easily neglecting the human’s anguish.
These days, what Palestine is enduring has grieved the world. What is taking place in this part of the world is genocide and crime against humanity. Palestinian helpless children are spending their days with bombs, missiles, killings, starvation, homelessness, and fear only because they were born in their homeland, Palestine. How could we remain indifferent in such circumstances?

Believing that Of One Essence is the Human Race, we have employed a tangible artistic expression as a shout of rage at this unprecedented oppression to present a part of this suffering inflicted on our fellow human beings.
In the Iranian Pavilion, we seek to blur geographical boundaries and look at these sad moments of history through the lens of humanity, by presenting innovative works with new concepts, the installation immersing the audience in different circumstances, or the virtual reality challenging physical phenomena, as well as the images reflected in the Iranian mirror art shedding lights of hope on the darkness of today’s world. These are small examples of Iranian art that have broken the boundaries to convey a message from the heirs to the 8000 years of civilization, placed within the walls of a structure in the historical city of Venice.
There will be a day without oppression and pain; the unreal borders will disappear, and a new world will gather around the true savior.

Mohammad Khorasanizadeh
Commissioner of the Iran Pavilion
at 60th Venice Art Biennale