Visual artist and Vanderbilt University Assistant Professor of Ceramics Raheleh Filsoofi, alongside local musician Reza Filsoofi, will present The Resonance of the Lands on March 22, a celebration of the completion of the first phase of an ambitious art and music project.
Filsoofi and other contributing artists sourced and refined clay from various Nashville locations, notably the Vanderbilt University campus, to create twenty-five unique clay instruments inspired by the drums and darbukas of the Middle East and North Africa. Utilizing various modes of clay production and honoring indigenous practices, the designs merge cultural influences, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.
The Resonance of the Lands is a collective effort between visual artists, musicians, and community members—including immigrants, refugees, and those who have faced displacement—and seeks to foster a sense of home for these persons Nashville and its environs. “The purpose of this initiative is to build a personal and communal bond throughout Nashville’s diverse landscape, enriching its legacy as the ‘Music City’ by embracing the wide range of voices that contribute to its vibrant community,” Raheleh Filsoofi explains.
The March 22 premiere event will feature a music performance and exhibition showcasing the community’s collective creations. Local artists will demonstrate the various techniques contributed to the project, accompanied by musicians playing the ceramic drums that echo Nashville’s musical diversity.
The event is free and open to the public.
Friday, March 22, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center
Department of Art, Vanderbilt University, 1204 25th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 372404
The Resonance of the Land: A Celebration of Immigrants and Refugees in the City of Music through Clay and Music
This initiative thrives through support from the Tennessee Arts Commission, and The Vanderbilt University Community Relations.
Collaborating artists from Vanderbilt University:
Isidora Miranda, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Musicology and Ethnomusicology, Blair School of Music
Alexandra Sargent Capps, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Theatre and Director of the Wond’ry Center for Innovation Fiber Arts Build Lab
Participating Artists and Musicians:
Beizar Aradini
Charlie Gilbert
Carlos Duran
Zaid Hameed
Akyl Imad Manauis
Ruhee Maknojia
Shafiq Mardan
Nesrin Simsek
Collaborating organizations:
Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) and
The Global Education Center
Other contributors include:
The Department of Art at Vanderbilt
The Wond’ry Fiber Arts Build Lab
Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice (EADJ)
Blair School of Music
Global Humanities Post-Docs at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Iranian Students Association (VISA)