Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Milād Ahmadi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Milād, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
It’s difficult to single out one project as most meaningful, as all creative endeavors help weave the greater fabric of my work: an effort to uplift my community, create a space for feeling, healing and belonging. Rangārang NYC, “the first of its kind Persian lip-sync battle extravaganza” where you get to “watch and/or be the show” is one such example.
I co-founded Rangārang NYC alongside my partner Mahya Jaberiansari in January 2024. The idea came to me one night when the two us of were out at a party, catching a break after some passionate dancing. I thought out loud “wouldn’t it be so great if we could all feel like a star for even just a moment? To have the spotlight, to perform a song- or pretend to- as one does home alone, when no one’s watching? Except there will be people watching- but you’re not going to care, because you feel safe and loved among them. Mahya listened to this dream and responded: “I’m down to do this with you if you’re serious about it”.
Shortly after that conversation, we had our first real meeting. Mahya claimed the role of our organizer and I, the creative. We begun planning our first event- which was a completely new territory both the both of us. It was a real challenge, with many hidden obstacles and a tight budget, but we did it.
Our very first show was a hit. Not only did we sell out, but we went over capacity. The energy in the room was raw, real and infectious. Anyone could feel it, whether or not you speak or understand Persian. It was as though we had collectively transported back in time, or rather… catapulted into the future? Regardless, the seemingly unattainable marriage of “Freedom” and “Iran” took place. At the end of the night, we crowned our first Rangarang Royalty- voted for by the audience.
Rangārang quickly grew and is now well known among the Persian New York diaspora. Our most recent event- Rangārang Act III: Norouz special: took place on March 7th, where we celebrated the Persian New year and the arrival of spring. Held at the Sultan Room, this event was by far our best one yet- opening with a live concert by Parhām Haghighi and Mahya Hamedi. This time, our community showed up and truly showed out- dressed in their most glamorous garments. Some had crafted props to perform with, some came with tricks up their sleeves, some had back up dancers.
Rangarang Act III was a celebration of the freedom we had collectively fought so hard to achieve.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Milad was born in 1996 in Tehran, Iran, and spent a decade in the UAE before moving to New York City to study Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design, part of The New School.
He is now a New York–based artist, designer, and creative whose multidisciplinary practice spans performance, painting, installation, writing, research, and community organizing. Drawing from his diverse experiences — including life in exile, the natural world, ancient history, music, and contemporary culture — Milad weaves together a body of work that is both deeply personal and richly layered.
On any given day, you might find him creating oil paintings, writing, designing custom textile commissions, or preparing for Rangarang — the first-ever Persian lip-sync night in NYC, which he cofounded. Across all his endeavors, Milad’s approach remains organic and poetic, guided by intuition and a deep connection to his practice.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society owes its artists kindness and support.
The stereotype of the struggling artist only holds true because we we undervalue the worth of artists while they still live and breathe among us. For an artist, work and life are synonymous. Art is lived. It is not merely and extension of the self- it is the very medium of selfhood.
Art must to be afforded the appropriate ecosystem to thrive, especially in a culture that disregards process and only focuses on a sellable product. It is famously agreed upon that art cannot be rushed and creativity strikes when it does. So where does the sleepless artist lie in the 9-5 framework of capitalist culture?
There are many opportunities to integrate art into the everyday. Society must consult with creatives and aesthetes to beautify our surroundings and appease our senses. Think of all the mundane, uninspiring objects and infrastructures you come into contact with daily. What if they were instead thoughtful, beautiful and uplifting instead? That would be entirely possible if we funded artists to do what they do best.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
To liberate, uplift, and strengthen communities that have shaped who I am.
To live fully and authentically and encourage all to live to their full potential
To be guided by my ancestors and to safeguard and propel our culture forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hausofmilad.com
- Instagram: hausofmilad
Image Credits
Jesse Herndon
David Mahyar Dini
Mahka Eslami