Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, life has shifted in extraordinary ways. But such trials have always beset the Iranian artistic community due to economic problems and crises, and the lack of government support. A large part of this society is made up of women who are the primary breadwinners of their households, or must help their families with expenses.
Instead of changing professions or having a second job, some artists chose to teach art classes and sell artwork as their only way to pay bank installments, rent and living expenses. But the corona outbreak caused the closure of all training classes for two months, and sales of artwork dropped to zero.
آمار مرگ و میر ناشی از بیماری کرونا در کانادا، امریکا و ایران
To pay for living expenses, many artists decided to hold classes online, or privately in limited numbers, in accordance with health principles and social distancing. However, due to a reduction in students and the two-month closure, the economic problems have not yet abated. This project explores the hard conditions for female art instructors during the coronavirus outbreak in the city of Gorgan.
Photo Credit: Kianoush Saadati / NVP Images
– (2020 Grant recipients of Pulitzer Center)
Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: 31-year-old Mojdeh teaches children to play the piano in Gorgan. However, in the past two months, all of their courses have been canceled. Practicing with the children on the internet didn’t work. Now she gives few private lessons, only three a day and earns around 63 euros a month. That’s not enough to pay for their living expenses and debts. Finding the special protective masks is difficult. In addition, according to Mojdeh, playing the piano in Corona times has another disadvantage: spraying disinfectants damages the piano in the long term. Iranian singers, on the other hand, give online singing lessons in the traditional style for women from the middle and upper classes, some of whom also pay for it. .Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. IranÕs government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: 31-year-old Mojdeh teaches children to play the piano in Gorgan. However, in the past two months, all of their courses have been canceled. Practicing with the children on the internet didn’t work. Now she gives few private lessons, only three a day and earns around 63 euros a month. That’s not enough to pay for their living expenses and debts. Finding the special protective masks is difficult. In addition, according to Mojdeh, playing the piano in Corona times has another disadvantage: spraying disinfectants damages the piano in the long term. Iranian singers, on the other hand, give online singing lessons in the traditional style for women from the middle and upper classes, some of whom also pay for it. .Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. IranÕs government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: 31-year-old Mojdeh teaches children to play the piano in Gorgan. However, in the past two months, all of their courses have been canceled. Practicing with the children on the internet didn’t work. Now she gives few private lessons, only three a day and earns around 63 euros a month. That’s not enough to pay for their living expenses and debts. Finding the special protective masks is difficult. In addition, according to Mojdeh, playing the piano in Corona times has another disadvantage: spraying disinfectants damages the piano in the long term. Iranian singers, on the other hand, give online singing lessons in the traditional style for women from the middle and upper classes, some of whom also pay for it. .Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. IranÕs government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Hadis, The music instructor, Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: Hadis, is a 35 years old string instrument instructor and children’s instructor trainer in the city of Gorgan teaching how to play string to children. After the outbreak of Corona and the closure of private and group classes, Hadith has faced economic problems and decided to hold online classes to cover her living expenses, but the number of her online classes’ sessions is decreased and turns about one tenth.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Hadis, The music instructor, Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: Hadis, is a 35 years old string instrument instructor and children’s instructor trainer in the city of Gorgan teaching how to play string to children. After the outbreak of Corona and the closure of private and group classes, Hadith has faced economic problems and decided to hold online classes to cover her living expenses, but the number of her online classes’ sessions is decreased and turns about one tenth.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
-Ms. Ghaffari, the confectioner, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Ms. Ghaffari is a 55 years old confectioner in the city of Gorgan and holds confectionery baking and training workshops. The outbreak of corona and its coincidence with the New Year in Iran caused the confectionery baking workshops that had been buying raw materials for months to face great financial losses and led the closure of the baking training classes for 2 months. Monthly income has dropped by 80 percent.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Sara, The modeling photographer, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Sara, is a 28 years old modeling photographer in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of coronavirus Sara was infected and had not taken any photographs for two months staying at home. She had trouble paying for the editor and rent. After lifting the restrictions, she began to operate in accordance with the health protocol but with Corona peaking again and the closure of wedding venues, she has faced customer churn and it’s been a few days since being suspected of having Corona again.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Sara, The modeling photographer, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Sara, is a 28 years old modeling photographer in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of coronavirus Sara was infected and had not taken any photographs for two months staying at home. She had trouble paying for the editor and rent. After lifting the restrictions, she began to operate in accordance with the health protocol but with Corona peaking again and the closure of wedding venues, she has faced customer churn and it’s been a few days since being suspected of having Corona again.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Sara, The modeling photographer, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Sara, is a 28 years old modeling photographer in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of coronavirus Sara was infected and had not taken any photographs for two months staying at home. She had trouble paying for the editor and rent. After lifting the restrictions, she began to operate in accordance with the health protocol but with Corona peaking again and the closure of wedding venues, she has faced customer churn and it’s been a few days since being suspected of having Corona again.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Sara, The modeling photographer, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Sara, is a 28 years old modeling photographer in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of coronavirus Sara was infected and had not taken any photographs for two months staying at home. She had trouble paying for the editor and rent. After lifting the restrictions, she began to operate in accordance with the health protocol but with Corona peaking again and the closure of wedding venues, she has faced customer churn and it’s been a few days since being suspected of having Corona again.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Naghmeh,The children’s instrumental instructor , Gorgan, Iran-MAY 2020: Naghmeh, is a 36 years old instrumental instructor teaching to children in the city of Gorgan. Her group classes were composed of 15 pupils. However, with the prevalence of corona, it is maintained by observing the social distance and the health protocol and the number of sessions is decreased. It is impossible for her to hold online classes due to the way she teaches and the age of the Students. The prevalence of corona and the decrease in the number of students, apart from economic problems, have reduced feeling of intimacy among children.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Maedeh and Nazanin are painting potteries by observing the social distance.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
-Nazanin,the enameler, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Nazanin is a 30 years old enameler who works in an enameling workshop in the city of Gorgan. She does this to meet the needs of her personal life. With the outbreak of corona and increase in the living cost and the decrease in the purchasing power of the people and the closure of enamelware sale exhibition, the workshop has faced economic problems. Her monthly income is 900 thousand tomans about 50 dollars.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Melika, The Daf instructor , Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Melika, is a 22 years old Daf instructor in the city of Gorgan and the Golestan’s representative for Daf playing in Iran. With the outbreak of the corona and the failure to hold concerts and the cancellation of group classes, Melika faced economic problems and decided to hold classes privately at her private home. Her income has fallen by 80% since the Corona outbreak.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Ava, The music instructor, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020:Ava is a 27 years old music instructor in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of corona and the closure of schools and Conservatories and economic problems for her she decided to hold Santoor training classes privately at her place of residence and in accordance with health issues. Her monthly income is 1 million tomans about 55 dollars.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Ava, The music instructor, Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020:Ava is a 27 years old music instructor in the city of Gorgan. With the outbreak of corona and the closure of schools and Conservatories and economic problems for her she decided to hold Santoor training classes privately at her place of residence and in accordance with health issues. Her monthly income is 1 million tomans about 55 dollars.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
Melika, The Daf instructor , Gorgan, Iran-JUN 2020: Melika, is a 22 years old Daf instructor in the city of Gorgan and the Golestan’s representative for Daf playing in Iran. With the outbreak of the corona and the failure to hold concerts and the cancellation of group classes, Melika faced economic problems and decided to hold classes privately at her private home. Her income has fallen by 80% since the Corona outbreak.Iran was amongst five of the countries with the highest spread of COVID-19. Iran’s government began an official lockdown on March 15th, 2020, the quarantines in place are for those who do not exhibit symptoms but have been exposed to the illness. For the large number of Iranians who live on a day by day income, staying home, means having no money to pay for essential things such as food. Therefore, they must take their life in their own hands and work in order to survive even at the risk of getting infected, spreading the virus in society at large, and even getting fined for breaking the quarantine. For them, choosing either path has extreme consequences. (Photo by Kianoush Saadati/NVP Images)
