Homecoming, 2025
Installation
Video, set of publications, clay, stone, various objects, printed media
Site-specific
Homecoming is an artistic-ethnographic project about heritage and artist’s relationship to the village of Khinalig. As an artist of Khinalig origin, Nilufer explores the nuances of digitalization and institutionalization and ask how a trained designer can help the community overcome these issues.The goal of the project is to preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of the village of Khinalig, the home of my ancestors. The project combines digital archiving, collaborative publications, and artistic installations to capture and share the cultural narratives of Khinalig.
Through this work, artist asks how we might preserve living culture without reifying its forms and how to empower local voices in curatorial decisions traditionally made by external authorities. This project also attempts to reconnect with her heritage through artistic practice, reflecting on identity, belonging, and the complexities of cultural preservation in a globalized world. Through the method Homecoming, she aims to offer an alternative approach to heritage that respects local agency and keeps culture alive within its context.