F T O E C H U R S A N I Iranian contemporary art has been The modern movements of Iranian art began considered the powerhouse of Middle during the 1940s; at the time of increased N Eastern art, and one of the most unique relations and contact with the West and right forces within the global art scene. In after the death of Iran’s master painter Kamal- T making modern Iran, art has played a ol-Molk (1852 – 1940) that symbolically ended R fundamental role to break the rules of the rigid adherence to academic painting. For conventions, to crack open cemented the first time Iranian artists and intellectuals O opinions and has challenged and looked began to openly question authority and push D at the world and its own society with a boundaries, and this resulted in the creation critical eye. Iran’s modern history is of a group of artists dedicated to creating a U full of segmented episodes of artistic uniquely Iranian and modern idiom. As artistic C inquisitions for creating a native, yet a expectations gradually evolved, teaching modern artistic language. establishments began to also transform; T shifting their teaching methodologies from I what were long traditionally practiced and began to encourage innovation instead of O copying. N The three decades before the 1979 revolution saw the opening of Iran’s first galleries and Iranian artists becoming active in the international art scene by participating in solo and group exhibitions and art fairs around the world. Iran also gradually became the cultural hub of the region, regularly holding events and festivals and attracting the most well-known and most influential artists, collectors and art patrons of the world. The infamous Shiraz Art Festival for example was held annually in the city of Shiraz between 1967 until 1977 hosting and celebrating an array of avant-garde artistic productions and performances from around the world. Many of the country’s most important art The war years also highly influenced certain most prestigious museums and galleries in These days, despite the country being home centres, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, visual developments in urban art, graphic arts, the word have acquired and presented some of to dozens of active art centres, museums and national galleries and museums were built cinema and music all at work to foster national the best of what Iran has artistically produced. government funded institutions; it is dominantly between 1950s and the end of 1970s albeit support and to commemorate the many lives Iranian art has also dominated and has highly the privately funded galleries and institutions having been directly inspired by the west, to lost. Logistically however, Iran’s museums, art influenced the art market of the region, holding that discover and promote the vibrant side of encourage and flourish the domestic artistic centres and independent galleries were some record sales numbers and prices. A sculpture Iranian art, carry out quality presentations, and cultural scene. Tehran’s Vahdat Hall of the most hardly affected units no longer by Parviz Tanavoli sold in 2008 for $2.8 million exchange programs, collaborate worldwide (initially Roudaki Hall) constructed during supported or funded and no longer allowed at the Christie’s in Dubai still holds the record and develop and fund cultural ideas. Tehran the 60s for example, was home to Tehran’s the freedom of artistic exploitation the way of a highest price ever achieved for a work of is an interesting example of a city that has Opera Company, Iranian National Ballet they had experienced during the years prior art at an auction in Dubai and a world auction managed to organically develop its own unique Company and Tehran’s Symphony Orchestra to the revolution. For some time and despite record for a piece of art by any Middle Eastern artistic scene using its available own capacity, that regularly produced and held opera, dance many artists working independently inside the artist, and this trend although bumpy at times, talent and format for doing so. Galleries of and music performances. Tehran’s Museum country developing a whole new vocabulary has continued. Tehran promote such a diverse range of art of Contemporary Art (TMOCA) that opened in suitable for this challenging atmosphere, it The attention to Iranian art and its rising to such a wide range of the city’s audiences 1977, is still home to some of the world’s most was mainly Iran’s new wave cinema and some prices at auction houses around the world has today. important and finest collections of Iranian and visual artists on exile who gained most of the subsequently greatly influenced the art scene The demand for art has never been this high Western art. world’s attention and defined Iranian art. inside the country and the domestic market. post revolution and as the diplomatic mood The revolution of 1979 however, opened a Iranian artists on exile unlike their peers These days, the number of first time buyers are is shifting and Iran is once again on the verge whole new chapter in the history of Iranian inside the country were the group who could on the rise and the established and emerging of a positive political and economical change, art and even though it put the breaks on the explore the effects of revolution and war Iranian collectors are eager more than ever to focusing on Iranian art and the future of its modernist and subversive artistic movements freely and be outspoken about their inner acquire works of art for investment or for love. market seems favourable. In this edition of of the pre-revolutionary Iran, it ultimately emotional upheavals as Iranians. They could The newly established Tehran Auction (2011) Contemporary Istanbul, the fair is especially gave birth to a whole new era of socially and also be able to openly criticise traditions and and many active art galleries in the capital focusing on Iranian art through collaboration politically engaged art. Today, what is referred effects of religion without the need to censor are also the testimony that the business of with some of Tehran’s most active and upbeat to as “Contemporary Iranian Art” is what has their views. art is booming and the demand for art rising. galleries showcasing an interesting range of been produced after the 1979 revolution, Limitations inside Iran however, ultimately Today, art galleries in Tehran are fulfilling the art by some of the country’s established and during the Iran-Iraq conflict and the post war contributed to the birth of a highly unique increasing demand and interest in modern emerging artists. period up until now. and astonishing artistic language. Literature, and contemporary Iranian art. They act as What is presented in this event will be a For the first few years after the revolution, music, films and all of the visual arts produced facilitators for not only the acquisition of the unique chance for global art lovers to get Iranian art was dominated and highly during this time in Iran’s history have best of art the country has to offer but also closer to the allure of the diverse range of art influenced by the after shocks of the revolution predominantly managed to act as frontiers to support and promote the best of artists in represented in Iran today and to get closer to and the Iran-Iraq conflict that lasted eight of opening horizons and of social psyche. It need of agents. the art of a country that has never failed to long years (1980 – 1988). Many Iranian artists is also during this time that art eventually Iranian galleries today go beyond being just influence and touch its viewers, and to speak directly covered the war or were inspired by the came out of its elitist shell and interacted and businesses. They have a long history for having of messages universal yet consequential. atrocities this conflict caused and left behind. engaged with a much wider audience because a central role in stimulating imagination, This event will also be a rare opportunity to it dealt with relevant key issues affecting all desire and continuity despite receiving little present what Tehran’s alternative artistic Iranians. support from authorities. scene has managed to achieve with this hope Despite domestic challenges and limitations, For years, Tehran art galleries were the only that such public platforms will pave the way and the country’s poor relations with the world available public spaces in the country for artistic for new beginnings in cultural collaborations, and especially the west, attention to Iranian presentation, dialogue, experimentation and education and future of the art market in the art began to really flourish after the revolution promotion. It is not far from the truth to claim region. because of its deeply moving content, unique that the history of art galleries in Tehran for approach and representational technique in the past 35 years or so has been the story of Leila Sajjadi such critical times in its history. overcoming extraordinary challenges, and of Tehran, October 2015 From the late 1990s up until today, Iran has survival. seen an explosion of artistic activity and production. There have been numerous exhibitions and festivals held highlighting Iranian contemporary art globally. Some of the Aaran Gallery was established in 2008 with a Represented artists: A special focus on representing young and emerging Sasan Abri (b. 1984) Iranian artists. The gallery has been active ever Hadi Alijani (b. 1987) A since introducing and promoting some of Iran’s Mojtaba Amini (b. 1979) R most important and vibrant emerging artists to Nasser Bakhshi (b. 1982) the global audience.