This project was a solo exhibition and a research residency at 500 Capp Street, the David Ireland House Foundation from January 18th- April 19th, 2025. The project includes several community engagement.
Installation view of Familiar Windows — film prints of Mission neighborhood flora and fauna taped onto glass, referencing the stained-glass architecture found throughout the city, alongside a stop-motion animation projected between two chairs, with cigarette butts marking moments of gathering and conversation.Stop-motion animation using cigarette butts gathered from the streetAugmented reality over the window, using bees sourced from a Capp Street mural and referencing the honey piece in David Ireland’s archive.Water Altar. An altar-based installation combining augmented reality and projection with found materials to reflect on water, memory, and the lived histories of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) spaces. Projected animation on kitchenette with a leaking faucet, Kokedama soil, moss, stones, abalone shell, glass bowl, clear acrylic display, marble candle holder, and wall sticker.Projected animation over an existing sticker in David Ireland’s bedroom on second floor.Earth Altar; looping broom-sweeping animation with dirt from the David Ireland archive and dried flowers from the Recology AIR Program
Familiar Windows, installation view. Film prints of Mission neighborhood flora and fauna taped onto glass, referencing the stained-glass architecture found throughout the city.
Fire Altar and An Archive of Spices installation viewpost it, recipes and spices offered by the community to the Fire Altar, marble candle holder, candle, fennel, lemon, turmeric, Rosemary, cardamom tea,rice, rose water.
An Archive of Spices. Installation view. Spices inspired by Mission cuisine fill a vessel shaped like a stained-glass house number, surrounded by bee-hive–like tiles sourced from the Recology AIR Program, highlighting food’s role in connecting community.
Stop-motion animation featuring a spoon and fork from the David Ireland House archive, presented in an altar-like installation in the dining room. The arrangement incorporates found objects and dried flowers from the Recology AIR Program, referencing eating, shared meals, and the role of food in community building.Familiar Windows, installation view. Film prints of Mission neighborhood flora and fauna taped onto glass, referencing the stained-glass architecture found throughout the city.Altar of Air, a brick and wood sculpture inspired by Iranian pigeon houses, built from reclaimed bricks collected at the Recology AIR Program and from the David Ireland’s Archive.Earth Altar, Installation view: artificial plants from the Recology AIR Program; community-written Post-it notes; glass jars, acorns, origami, Kokedama soil, moss, and a marble candle holder.Earth Altar; artificial plants from the Recology AIR Program; community-written Post-it notes; glass jars, acorns, origami, Kokedama soil, moss, and a marble candle holder.Augmented reality feather floating around the pigeon tower. The feather was collected from the neighborhood streets during one of my walks. Beneath our feet lies memory The roots and cracks hides the stories How do you archive them?
Spirit Gleaning bridges the history of The David Ireland House with the surrounding neighborhood to create an experimental space that prioritizes the house as a living archive. Rooted in the exploration of art in everyday life, Minoosh Zomorodinia documents the spirit of the streets by walking. Viewers are encouraged to wander around the house to experience playful augmented realities found within a series of altars, where they can contribute objects and stories to this living archive. Spirit Gleaning fosters collaborative and immersive experiences that celebrate memories and ceremonies.
Augmented Reality: Miguel Novelo
Photography: Minoosh Zomorodinia
Haftsin table arranged for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and the arrival of spring. Each item on the table—sabzeh (sprouts), seer (garlic), serkeh (vinegar), senjed (oleaster), seeb (apple), somaq (sumac), and samanu (sweet pudding)—represents an element of life and nature.
Handout about Nowrooz and Ramadan
Minoosh Zomorodinia leads a walk through the Mission, sharing her experiences with the community beginning at 500 Capp Street. Photo by Lian Ladia
Community member gathering to share stories
Community members gather around An Archive of Spices to share memories of spices and foods. An AR prompt asks: “Spices carry the flavors of nations—what flavor do you remember?” Photo by Lian Ladia
Community Building, Melting Pot, Bahar Breaking Iftar—marked with tea, dates, cheese, walnuts, and flatbread—coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The event at 500 Capp Street featured traditional dishes such as Ashe Reshteh, Shole Zard, Kuku Sabzi, and Tahchin, presented in collaboration with Shirini Bakes
Community Building, Melting Pot, Bahar Breaking Iftar—marked with tea, dates, cheese, walnuts, and flatbread—coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The event at 500 Capp Street featured traditional dishes such as Ashe Reshteh, Shole Zard, Kuku Sabzi, and Tahchin, presented in collaboration with Shirini Bakes. Photo by Ari Salomon
Directed map for community members to experience Sizdah Bedar, known as “Nature’s Day.” This festival marks the end of Nowruz, when families gather outdoors to picnic, honor nature, and cast sprouted greens into running water for renewal and good fortune.
Community members chopping garlic for Ashe Reshteh, a hearty and herby bean soup that traditionally cooked during Nowruz, after the guidance from Shirini Bakes.
Community members are staging Iftar sofreh, a traditional ceremony during the month of Ramadan for Muslims, featuring black tea, dates, cheese, walnuts, and flatbread.
Iftar sofreh, a traditional ceremony during the month of Ramadan for Muslims, featuring black tea, dates, cheese, walnuts, and flatbread.
Community members are staging Iftar sofreh, a traditional ceremony during the month of Ramadan for Muslims, featuring black tea, dates, cheese, walnuts, and flatbread.
Spirit Gleaning- Artist Book- 2025
Spirit Gleaning- Artist Book-2025
Spirit Gleaning- Artist Book-2025
Spirit Gleaning- Artist Book-2025
Spirit Gleaning
This book documents walking paths around 500 Capp Street – The David Ireland House in San Francisco’s Mission District, recorded on a smartphone between late 2024 and early 2025.
The photographs capture the presence of community and culture in the neighborhood, focusing on messages and graffiti found on windows and sidewalks.
By transforming digital data into an analog archive for the future, the work reflects on what remains after we pass—the invisible imprints of movement, spirit, and shared histories that continue to shape the land and those who walk it.
Image index
Spread Love, Stop Hate
Watermelon
Women Life Freedom
Stop The Genocide
Be nice to sex workers
All out for Palestine
God, U Jesus Christ, We Trust
Save our public school
El Cielo “Colombian food”
St, cigarette butt
Frida Kalo
Tree stump
17th street
Gift Mixcoati shop
This artist’s book edition was created by Minoosh Zomorodinia during her art residency at the San Francisco Center for the Book
