Shirin Neshat's 'Body of Evidence' exhibition at Milan's PAC presents immersive, non-chronological survey

Iranian artist Shirin Neshat's solo exhibition 'Body of Evidence' at Milan's PAC Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea runs until 8 June 2025. Curated with Diego Sileo and Beatrice Benedetti, the show deliberately avoids chronological presentation, instead creating overlapping installations where visitors navigate complex landscapes. The exhibition features works spanning three decades, including the 2000 diptych 'Fervor' which opens the show with its exploration of gender dynamics in Islamic society through split-screen cinematography. PAC's challenging architecture—featuring four open-sided rooms around a central atrium with sound spill—complements Neshat's immersive approach. Key works include 'Roja' (2016), addressing cultural displacement between Iran and the USA; 'Land of Dreams' (2019), blending realism and sci-fi; and early video works 'Turbulent' (1998) and 'Rapture' (1999) examining gender differentials. Photographic series like 'Women of Allah' (1993–97) and 'The Book of Kings' (2012) provide pauses between moving images, while 'The Fury' (2023) addresses sexualized violence against female prisoners in Iran. Neshat's practice incorporates photography, art film, and opera, with her 'Aida' scheduled for restaging at Paris Opera House later this year. The exhibition's non-didactic curation allows works to resonate individually while creating dialogue across media and themes.