TELSTAR-12: Lido WARM Artist Residency, Fall 2019

This project examines the weaponization of culture as a tool for regime change through the deconstruction and re-interpretation of western-influenced Iranian pop music videos. These videos were filmed in LA-based studios in the late 90s and early 2000s by members of the post-Islamic Revolution’s cultural diaspora and broadcast back to Iran illegally via satellite TV, as well as circulated via an underground bootleg VHS market.

The month-long residency included a video collage with a live score, a live music video filming and performance, and the creation of a music video for the song “Moist Towelette”.


Telstar-12 video collage + live score (recorded at the Lido Sept 8, 2019)



Clip from performance of live scoring of Telstar-12



“Doctor” performed at the music video filming, September 15, 2019



“Moist Towelette” music video




Clip from final performance, September 22, 2019