As Morehshin Allahyari watched a 2015 video of ISIS destroying ancient artifacts in Iraq, she felt horrified. But it wasn't long before Allahyari vowed to turn that horror into action.
The artist and activist was an experienced researcher from her time at the University of Denver, where she received a master’s in digital media. Allahyari dedicated eight months to learn what the artifacts had looked like before they were shattered. She had to work around spotty historical records to find the few existing images of the destroyed relics.
Her work became a collection called “Material Speculation: ISIS.” Allahyari took her research and used it to reconstruct the artifacts using 3D printing. A flash drive containing her research is embedded in each piece.
"Material Speculation: ISIS" is on display through May 5 at The Collective in Lafayette. Allahyari's works are featured as a part of “Machine Language: An Exhibition of Machine Art,” presented by the Lafayette Electronic Arts Festival (LEAF).
