Project Misplaced is a reflection of cultural and social displacement. It deals with the aftermath of being uprooted from one’s own society and the attempts to redefine one’s existence in a new environment which is dominated by different rules, laws and standards. It’s the story of survival under new and incomprehensible social trends which rendering the old measuring sticks useless. It is one of the absurd routes through which displacement leads to misplacement.

Project Misplaced manifested itself in a series of newspaper advertisements, posters, stickers and flyers targeting theIranians in Los Angeles area. This series is based on Simon Ordoubadi, a fictitious character, who has left Iran for a better future and is now, for the first time in his life, getting exposed to life in the west through the filter of Tehrangeles. Like all immigrant societies, the Iranian community in Los Angeles has developed it’s own brand of culture and understanding of their surrounding which is in direct relation it’s collective unconscious, pasts, history and the politics of the day. A community looked on with suspicion by both the country of origin and the host nation. Ordoubadi is the representative of those people, who abandoned their homeland in fear for their lives or in search of a more stable and secure society.

Those who once again, find themselves incompatible and fearful of ever-changing rules, government, authority, judiciary or anyone in a uniform. Those who find no comfort but within the same community they tried to get away from. Which in turn leads to nothing but more discomfort and ambivalence.

Soleyman (Simon) Ordoubadi, a first generation immigrant, knows that this is the land of opportunity but fails to realize what he smells is not Kabobs but burning flesh of cattle getting branded. By assembling all his wit and formatting it the Los Angelesy way, he attempts to create a base for himself in the only community he might stand chance with. Although Project Misplaced is based on the Iranian community in Los Angeles, in many ways, is a portrayal of all immigrant clusters that are somehow disconnected from their original source.

Project Misplaced is not directed towards any particular person or group, religion or social cast. Neither it is a criticism of what “is” but more, a journey through it. The exhibit consists of 30 actual pieces of newspaper advertisements, stickers, handouts, flyers and posters. All previously

printed, posted or distributed in the Los Angeles Iranian community. All material will be posted sequentially and directly on the

wall. A separate section will house public’s reactions to the project. Invitation cards will be printed and delivered to the gallery curators to facilitate the invitation process. Also an electronic version of the invitation card will be prepared for the gallery to maximize event’s

exposure.

A book consisting of the complete series, plus articles by Tara Bahrampour (Washington Post), Jacki Lyden (NPR Radio), Elham Gheytanchi, and the artist documented this project.