When the Mirror Remembers the Step
6 February – 20 September 2026
When the Mirror Remembers the Step aligns with the mission of MACS MTO: to present Sufism in its most universal and timeless dimension, placing visitors at the heart of a quest for meaning. The approach reflects the very essence of the Sufi path, where direct experience leads to understanding.
Participating Artists:
Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh, Rachid Koraïchi, Sanaz Mazinani, Bahman Panahi, and Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian.
The exhibition is conceived as a constellation of spaces combining works from the museum’s collection with artistic installations and scenography that in turn encourage visitors to pursue their own exploration.
It is also an opportunity to encounter the artists and their commissioned works, created to enrich the experience of dialogue. The art of calligraphy highlights eight fundamental concepts of Sufism, which serve as conceptual and symbolic landmarks throughout the exhibition spaces. From tasawwuf, the doctrinal term designating Sufism, to fanā’, the annihilation of the ego in divine union, the visitor traces their own step through the mirror of the collection’s works.
The journey is further enriched by creations inviting subtle forms of engagement: a mirrored āyeneh-kārī (mirror-mosaic) installation expanded through visitors’ contributions; a virtual reality experience of dhikr (remembrance); a Sufi reading lounge; and immersive sound and listening environments inspired by the symbolism of gardens.
Rather than leading to a single interpretation, the exhibition unfolds as a succession of steps oriented toward an inner journey. Sufi culture transcends fixed definitions: it is an experience to be lived, a meeting with oneself and with others.
Curator: Golzar Yousefi.
