Home Beyond Home
A visual narrative
What makes you smile? Where do you find solace amidst all the chaos of our busy lives? Who’s the first person you call to calm your nerves after a rough meeting? What is the meaning of ‘home’ to you?
The Cranwell Global Ambassadors present you the first look at the exhibition titled, "Home Beyond Home" where your fellow Hokies share the stories of their home through the lens. Whether it's cherished memories of a home you left behind, or the vibrant tapestry of life here in Blacksburg, each snapshot is a piece of a personal narrative.
Winners
1st place: Spring Blossoms in Exile - Mohammad Khorrami
This image captures my Haft-Seen table, a traditional Persian display that marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. Surrounded by symbols of rebirth, wisdom, and beauty—from hyacinths and apples to a mirror and ancient poetry—this moment recreates the essence of home thousands of miles away. In honoring this ritual, I connect with my roots and celebrate a season of hope and renewal, even in a new land. This is what “home beyond home” means to me: carrying culture across borders and letting it bloom anew.
2nd place: The Taste of Home - Krishnanand Karthikeyan
I met this sweet granny at the Blacksburg farmer's market, who was selling dumplings. There was something about her maybe it was the way she smiled that reminded me of my grandma. It felt familiar, the way she folded each dumpling is like how my grandma used to do it. I liked watching her for a while. In the middle of the noisy market, it felt like a quiet moment just for me. Got some dumplings after, and they were delicious. Familiar. Like home!
3rd place: Calm After the Storm: Like the Sky Was Smiling Again - Atharva Deherkar
Nestled among snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and serene lakes, Kashmir felt more than just a destination — it felt like home. From the dreamy slopes of Gulmarg to the untouched beauty of Aru Valley and the tranquil waters of Dal Lake, every corner held a story of peace and wonder. Through my lens, I tried to capture not just the landscapes, but the emotions they stirred—warmth, serenity, and the timeless embrace of nature.
Honorable Mention: Whispers of the Forest - Ruwanthika Kularathna
Nestled among ancient trees, the little wooden house listens to the murmurs of leaves and the songs of the wind. Here, time slows, and the forest embraces those who seek solitude.
Honorable Mention: Universe - Tharindu Damesha Rajapaksha
The ultimate home.
Honorable Mention: Nature: Home Beyond Borders - Reyhane Rastgoo
Nature is a welcoming home to me that knows no borders. It doesn't matter where you come from; nature hugs you with open arms and reminds you that we are all part of an interconnected world.
Final Selections
About the judge
Laura Iancu is a visual artist working primarily in non-fiction & experimental video forms, with an expanded practice of 3D animation and immersive video game design. She studied Fine Art Pedagogy at Ovidius University on the Romanian shore of the Black Sea and traveled to the US where she received an MFA in Photography and another in Cinematic Arts from the University of Iowa. Currently she teaches film production classes as Assistant Professor in the Cinema Program at the School of Performing Arts, Virginia Tech.
Her work blends aspects of sound art, poetry, magic realism, pop/internet culture, gaming, gardening and the myriad mutations of contemporary technology. Formally it ranges between traditional observational documentaries, such as Birthtree- a feature length film about the isolated village of her paternal grandparents- to the abstract&non-linear: Rattle, Fever, Manilla Folder, Self(ie;), Minerals and Buttercups, Transmissions, Faster, Sinking About You, Leave it Open, // Current State = true;.
Her films and games have been showcased at venues across the world including Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival, Mimesis Documentary Festival, London Experimental Film Festival, Indie Grits, Bogotá Experimental Film Festival, Antimatter, Montreal Underground Film Festival, Seattle Transmedia & Independent Film Festival, Festival ECRÃ, Front International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, South Carolina Underground Film Festival, Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival, CÓDEC Festival of Experimental Film and Video, Istanbul International Experimental Film Festival, 10'th International Video Poetry Festival Athens, International Film Guanajuato.
Recently Iancu has finalized a series of short documentaries in collaboration with local growers and scientists on soil vitality in biodynamic farming and rural traditions of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont regions of Virginia.