For almost 12 years, Iranian, Norway-based artist Ali Reza Ashoori took inspiration from his

surroundings to create puppets, theaters, and performances that can be at once intense and playful. He holds a BA in Puppet Theatre and is a master's student in fine art at KMD, Bergen. He creates performances including video, dance, and painting, exploring physical features and restrictions of the human body. His work is often time-based and challenges the artist's endurance physically and mentally, using various mediums such as collages, puppets, and set design. In most cases, the audience is a part of the journey, able to participate and push the performance forward

interactively. Ali Reza's works also challenge himself and the audience, questioning the relationship with the artwork as an object, the gallery environment, and the world beyond.

'I believe that art is not just a decorative object that is displayed somewhere and others come and watch it, and leave. Not all people are artists, but the general public can contribute to and participate in it, as I am also a part of it. I try not to be only a mirror of what is happening around me, I am not a reporter.'