Iranian Artist Hannah Darabi's 'Why Don't You Dance?' Explores Dance as Resistance

Hannah Darabi's exhibition, 'Why Don't You Dance?', is currently on display at Photo Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland, until November 1, 2026. The show delves into how dance serves as a cultural expression and a form of resistance in Iran's modern history, using photographs, videos, and archival documents. Inspired by the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, which protests against the Iranian government's harsh laws on women, the exhibition is divided into three sections. It features key figures like Mahvash, a cabaret star from the 1950s; Jamileh, known for her belly and 'Jaheli dance'; and Mohammad Khordadian, a pop dancer and choreographer in Los Angeles, highlighting how dance became a political voice while thriving in exile.