Become the Sky Hessam KHALATBARI & Yassi METGHALCHI ont le plaisir de vous convier au vernissage de l’exposition

Become the Sky

JEUDI 02 FÉVRIER 2017 À PARTIR DE 18H30

Ghodratollah Agheli I Alireza Astaneh I Peyman Bakhshi I Behruz Heschmat I Alireza Masoumi Arman Molavi I Ahmad Morshedloo I Fereydoon Omidi I Mojtaba Ramzi I Hamed Rashtian Alireza Rasoulzadeh I Kambiz Sabri I Nastaran Safaei I Kambiz Sharif I Mina Talaee

216 rue Saint Martin 75003 Paris, France T. +33 1 42 71 87 83 - contact@galerienicolasflamel.fr www.galerienicolasflamel.com INTRO- duction

BECOME THE SKY Inspired by Rumi’s poetry

Your way begins at the other side. Become the sky. Take an axe to the prison wall. Escape. Walk out like someone suddenly born into color. Do it now. Rumi

It’s the season for Rumi ! The exhibition was inspired by the beloved 13th century mystic and poet Rumi. In Become the Sky, we focus on fifteen established and emerging artists from Iran who express a voice that could not be heard before. The selected artists have responded to the theme, which has resulted in a beautiful winter exhibition for Paris that highlights sculpture, painting, photography and installation. It is a work of a generation inspired by daily life and the focus of their art is in their social environment and cultural boundaries. These contemporary artists are a constant source of inspiration who exchange ideas and enlighten us. We could compare the artworks in this exhibition to Rumi’s poetry for its beauty and resonance. In Become the Sky we want our viewers to imagine the reality of future through art and literature.

Hessam Khalatbari & Yassi Metghalchi

3 Become the Sky HAMED HAMED RASHTIAN RASHTIAN JOKERS, 2014 - 2016 Edition AP Bronze - 80 x 45 x 30 cm

Hamed was born in 1984 in Tehran, he is a student of pure mathematics at Beheshti University, when he became familiar with sculpting. He enrolled in sculpting classes of “KargahHonar” institute. That is where he realized,he was talented in sculpting. At the time, having studied at Beheshti University for 5 semesters, he felt like he had drifted away from what he was actually studying in university. Soon he dropped out and started taking independent courses at Maahe Mehr private art school in sculpting, history of contemporary art, philosophy of art, art history of Iran, all taught by elite scholars of the field. After that he spent two years working as ParvizTanavoli’s assistant. Along with other students of Tanavoli’s class, they formed the group Ma’koos. With their first group exhibition, his professional artistic career started.

Following the theme of visual delirium in my latest projects, Reverie explores the interconnections of ancient Middle Eastern pottery and architecture. The work is a mixed- media installation aiming to evoke a sense of mystical complexity that has always been part of the culture and history of this region. Amid the constant turmoil and unrest that is the face of the Middle East in the eyes of the media, Reverie seeks recourse to the past, when the Middle East was known for its mysterious charm.

5 Become the Sky MOJTABA MOJTABA RAMZI RAMZI CHELGIS , 2017 Edition 2/7 Patinated Bronze - 22 x 17 x 16 cm

Mojtaba Ramzi was born in Tehran in 1973. After finishing high school for graphic design diploma, he continued his studies to get B.A in painting and M.A in animation in Tehran. He has taught art in different universities since 2000. Moji (as his friends call him and he signs his sculptures) started to sculpturing more than two decades ago. He held 3 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 50 group exhibitions, biennial, auction, art fair in Tehran. London, Paris, Dubai and Beirut.

Moji is also a wildlife conservation activist and member of Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS). He performed several installation and recycle art according to this interest. He is one of two founders of «Yahya Prize» an annual prize for game wardens, in memory of Yahya, a famous warden who got shot and killed by poachers.

Moji works and teaches at his own studio «Ring Atelier». These days he works on his new sculptures collection.

MOJTABA RAMZI POKERFACE ON MAGIC CARPET, 2016 Edition 2/5 Bronze - 22 x 9 x 9 cm 7 Become the Sky ALIREZA ALIREZA RASOULZADEH RASOULZADEH IRAN, 2016 Edition AP Fiberglass & Bronze - 135 x 110 x 38 cm

Alireza Rasoulzadeh was born in 1984 in Tehran. He is a M.A student in international business law, and started his sculpturing works since 2009, after being trained by M.H EMAD.

SCULPTURING – COURSES / EXPERIENCES:

> Mahe-Mehr Academy affiliated with Parviz Tanavoli, master of Modern Iranian sculpture. > Attended to sculpturing techniques and use by M.H EMAD for 2 years. > Attended to material and modern sculpturing by Setareh Azmoudeh for 4 years. > Participated in Niyavaran cultural exhibition as a member of Parviz Tanavoli Students. > Participated in DD Gallery museum by demonstrating two of his artworks.

9 Become the Sky KAMBIZ KAMBIZ SHARIF SHARIF I BITE YOU !, 2011 Edition 2/4 Bronze & Louis Vuitton Leather - 45 x 25 x 23 cm

Kambiz Sharif, was born in 1978 in Tabriz, Iran. During his teenage years, Sharif developed an interest in art. He attended the Mirak Arts School in Tabriz, earning his Art Diploma. After graduation Sharif began working in sculpture full-time, using form to express his thoughts and feelings. Sharif opened his own sculptural school in 2001 with classes in clay, wood, stone, and in bronze casting. He has opened a studio in 2009 in Vancouver where he continues his sculptural practice. His abstract works utilize intricate conceptual ideas and draw their inspiration from the broader social world as well as everyday life and timeless concepts of beauty. He has received many awards and recognitions, including the first place prize in the Third Tehran Sculpture Biennial in 2002, a diploma in Arts from the Ministry of Arts and Culture in 2003, and the Diploma of Courageous Ideas in Art from the Fourth Tehran Sculpture Biennial in 2004. Sharif is a member of the Institute for the Promotion of Visual Arts in Iran, a member of the Society of Iranian Sculptors in Tehran, Iran, and a member of the International Sculptors Center.

AWARDS

2003 > First Place Winner in the Third Tehran Sculpture Biennial 2005 > Recipient of the Fourth Tehran Sculpture Biennial Diploma of Honor Award of recognition for Art and Cultural Activities, Ministry of Art and COLLECTIONS Culture 2005 - 2006 > Certificate of Achievement from Association of Iranian Sculptors > Davis Museum, (A. I. S.) Boston, USA 2008 > Certificate of Achievement from national festival, Visual Art of > Private Collectors, Resistance Worldwide 2009 > Certificate of Achievement from First International sculpture festival

11 Become the Sky AHMAD MORSHEDLOO AHMAD MORSHEDLOO UNTITLED, 2009 Pen on canvas - 120 x 90 cm

EDUCATION

2001 > MFA, Painting, University of Art, Tehran, Iran 1999 > BFA, Painting, Azad University, Tehran, Iran

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2014 > Negative Space, Assar Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2007 > Assar Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran Momayez Gallery, Iranian Artists’ Forum, Tehran, Iran 2005 > Tarahan-e Azad Gallery, Tehran, Iran Momayez Gallery, Iranian Artists’ Forum, Tehran, Iran 2004 > Aria Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2003 > Aria Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2002 > Assar Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2001 > Tarahan-e Azad Gallery, Tehran, Iran

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

2008 > Saatchi Gallery, London, UK 2003 > Imam Ali Museum, Tehran, Iran 2001 > Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran, Iran

ART FAIRS

2015 > ArtInternational Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey 2012 > ArtInternational Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey Art Moscow, Moscow, Russia 2011 > Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey 2010 > Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey Art Dubai, Dubai, UAE 13 Become the Sky NASTARAN NASTARAN SAFAEI SAFAEI FLYING, 2017 Edition 1/7 Fiberglass - 72 x 49 x 34 cm

Nastaran Safaei was born in 1984 in Tehran, Iran. She was mostly self taught in her experience until attending Parviz Tanavoli’s workshops in 2006 focusing on the Bronze technique which resulted in her first solo sculpture exhibition at Assar art gallery. The successful show made her a member of the association of Iranian sculptors. The main inspiration for her work is inner explorations of femininity by using mundane objects to express her experiences. She is deeply inspired by the mythological archetypes of Jung and the psychological methods of self-realization and ancient Iranian myths. Social and cultural issues influence her work deeply. She is currently working on the concept of time and the sub-conscious, focusing on the therapeutic aspect of her work in regards to her own psychological healing in relation to herself and the exterior. She regularly uses the human form to convey her ideas.

GROUPS

Member of the association of Iranian sculptors since 2006 Member of Makoos art collective since 2006

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2015 > “Something important”, Installation Exhibition, Zirpelleh, Tehran “30”, Video Art and installation Exhibition, Etemad Art Gallery, Tehran 2014 > Sculpture Exhibition, AB Gallery, Lucerne, Switzerland Sculpture Exhibition, Etemad Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE 2012 > Sculpture Exhibition, Etemad Art Gallery, Tehran 2010 > Sculpture Exhibition, Etemad Art Gallery, Tehran 2008 > Sculpture Exhibition, Assar Art Gallery, Tehran Painting Exhibition, Iranian Art Museum Garden, Tehran 2004 > Painting Exhibition, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran 15 Become the Sky ALIREZA MASOUMI ALIREZA MASOUMI UNTITLED, 2014 Paintball on Canvas - 250 x 150 cm

Alireza Masoumi was born in 1978 in Cardiff in the UK Lives and works in Tehran & London

Entered Tehran Azad University in 1996 to study Engineering but eventually gave up to take on my life long interest in painting...

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016 > “Nowherescape”- The Third Line Gallery, Dubai 2012 > Etemad Gallery- Tehran 2010 > Etemad Gallery- Tehran 2008 > Carbon12 Gallery,Dubai_UAE 2006 > Assar Gallery, Tehran - Iran 2005 > B21Gallery, Dubai - UAE 2003 > Golestan Gallery, (The show focused at that time on my latest works that many of them were inspired during my several trips to diffrent parts of Iran), Tehran - Iran 2001 > Elahe Gallery, Tehran - Iran

MURAL

2001 > German Embassy, Tehran - Iran Rokni Haerizadeh & Alireza Massoumi

17 Become the Sky GHODRATOLLAH GHODRATOLLAH AGHELI AGHELI FROM THE SERIES, 2016 Unique edition Bronze - 55 x 20 x 40 cm

GhodratollahAgheli was born in 1968 in Jolfa City, East Azarbaijan Province, in Iran. After finishing primary and secondary education, he seriously started to learn arts from painting and drawing masters of Mirak Art School of Tabriz. His passionate interest in arts and painting convinced him to leave Tabriz for Tehran where he started to learn sculpture techniques under supervision of masters of Visual Arts Center of Tehran for four consecutive years, and won Grade II in art and from then on he is working professionally and eagerly in artistic fields.

Agheli has not only succeeded to hold over 25 solo exhibitions during these years, but also he has participated in 70 groups, biennial exhibitions and artistic expositions in Iran, Germany, France, England, Austria, Ukraine, Morocco, Italy, China, Dubai and Qatar. And of his recent works the sixth Biennale Beijing International art and fifty- sixth International Biennial of Venice - in 2015 reached.

About 40 monumental sculptures, embossed artworks, urban monuments make up the casework of the hardworking artist. His monumental sculptures can be found either in Iran’s art museums or private collections.

19 Become the Sky FEREYDOON OMIDI FEREYDOON OMIDI UNTITLED, 2014 Oil & glitter on canvas - 160 x 200 cm

Born in 1967, Roudbar, Iran High school diploma in graphic Design in 1987, Tehran B.A. in Painting, Islamic azad University in 1993, Tehran M.A in Painting, University of art in 1998, Tehran Member of azad University, faculty of art author of Painting Workshop (published by Ministry of art) Member of Iranian society of Painters.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2013 > Opera Gallery, Paris (Universal Flags) curated by Hessam Khalatbari 2012 > Opera Gallery, Paris (Lettres Persanes) curated by Hessam Khalatbari Henna Art Gallery, Tehran XVA Gallery, Dubai 2010 > Henna Art Gallery, Tehran 2009 > Henna Art Gallery, Tehran Studio Plano Gallery, Venice 2008 > Caligraphy, Fereydoun Ave Gallery XVA Gallery, Dubai 2007 > Caligraphy, Fereydoun Ave Gallery 2006 > Tehran Gallery 2004 > Square, Iranian Artist’s House, Tehran 2003 > Collage Iranian Artist’s House, Tehran 2002 > Iranian Artist’s House 2001 > Iranian Artist’s House Gallery, Installation and Video Art (city) Azad Designers Gallery (painting on plates) 2000 > Barg Gallery, 4 Painters, 4 Gallery 1998 > Fereshteh Gallery, Collection of plants 1996 > Fereydoun Ave Gallery 1995 > Fereydoun Ave Gallery 21 Become the Sky KAMBIZ KAMBIZ SABRI SABRI 2017 Edition 1/3 Fiberglass - 25 x 95 x 41 cm

“Kambiz Sabri was born in 1967 in Iran. He has a BA in sculpture and an MA in graphic design. He is teaching at a number of art faculties in Tehran, namely at Tehran University.

Kambiz has held various solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions in contemporary art museums and galleries. He has won prizes from the 3rd Sculpture Biennial and the 2nd Sculpture Symposium of Iran. He is also a winner of the Emirates Airlines Skywards Future Artists competition 2011.

International activities include being the coordinator for the Iran pavilion in the 51st Venice Biennial and participation in Toyomora Sculpture biennial 2007 in Japan, Art Dubai 2011, Art Paris 2011, Bangladesh biennial 2012 and Art 13 London. He also has been judge 3 times in Persbook competition. At the first of 2016 one of his outdoor sculpture will install in front of NPM (National Palace Museum), the museum of Asian art and culture in Taiwan.“

23 Become the Sky ARMAN ARMAN MOLAVI MOLAVI FROM THE SERIES “WHEN YOU WERE FLYING”, 2013 Edition 1/7 - Signed Archival pigment print - 70 x 50 cm

Arman Molavi has been a professional photographer for over 25 years. In that time, he has done everything from teaching photography in Toulouse to being a fashion photographer in New York.

A graduate of the ETPA, he has also worked in corporate and fine art photography with his work shown in many prestigious locations such as the Galerie Municipale du Chateau d’Eau and Le Jardin du Luxembourg.

Although Arman has photographed different major events in France and around the world, nowadays he is perhaps best known for his innovative photography.He lives and works in Paris.

25 Become the Sky PEYMAN PEYMAN BAKHSHI BAKHSHI SAR E MAN AZ NALEH MAN DUR NIST, LIK CHESHM O GUSH RA AN NOOR NIST, 2016 Edition 1/5 Brass and aluminium - 80 x 32 x 30 cm

Peyman Bakhshi was born in Iran in 1989

> B.A in Graphic Design - Art & Architecture Tehran University, 2012 > Participated in The fifth Biennal Exhibition of Urban Sculpture - Tehran, 2016 > Selected for the sixth Persbook Contemporary Arts Competition - Tehran, 2016 > Participated in The seventh International Sculpture Symposium of > Tehran / Iron Section, 2016 > Participated in The Group Exhibition of Sculpture - Tehran, 2015 > Placement of « Blue Dream » Sculpture in Velenjak - Tehran, 2015 > Participated in The Padideh Shandiz Sculpture Symposium as an Assistant, 2014 > Participated in The Group Exhibition of Wood & Stone Sculpture - Tehran, 2014 > Participated in The Group Exhibition of Sculpture Galerie Nicolas Flamel - France, 2014 > Participated in The Open Group Exhibition of Sculpture - Tehran, 2014 > Participated in The Biennal Exhibition of Urban Sculpture - Tehran, 2014

27 Become the Sky MINA MINA TALAEE TALAEE RAPUNZEL & ROUDABEH, 2017 Unique edition Bronze & hair - 26 x 16 x 16 cm

This sculpture belongs to a Mina Talaee was born in 1985 in Tehran. She is a PhD series of works in which hair is candidate in Art Research. She has taught at a number the highlighted material and of universities from 2009 to 2014, namely Soore University the signifier which reflects at which she was head of the BA/ MA program for part of our lived experiences Handicrafts, Islamic Arts, Arts of Book and Persian Painting. and cultural conditions. The overall theme is culture vs. She has since focused solely on her artistic career and nature, and restriction vs. research. Beginning under her mother’s supervision, freedom. In both stories of Amineh Kazemzadeh, since young age, she has Rapunzel and Roudabeh, the continued her experience and education under the protagonists use their hair as a guidance of Master Parviz Tanavoli in Iran. Her works which means to communicate with mainly concentrate on cultural and social conventions the outside world, so hair is and challenges, were included in about 20 exhibitions here a metaphor for a natural in galleries like Mahe Mehr, Khak Art Gallery, Imam tendency and desire for Ali Museum, Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Saba Art Gallery, freedom, and interaction with Niavaran cultural center, Shirin Art Gallery, etc. since 2003. the world freely, something that defies isolation and more broadly the cultural restrictive conventions.

29 Become the Sky BEHROUZ BEHROUZ HESHMAT HESHMAT FOUNTAIN TREE, 2016 Unique edition Stainless Steel & Glass & Grass & Water - 50 x 68 cm

Behruz Heschmat was born in 1953 in Tabriz, Iran and moved to Austria to pursue sculpture at the Academy of Applied Arts of Vienna where he has lived ever since. He enrolled in masterclasses with Wander Bertoni, an Austrian sculptor of public art. Since then he has received many awards and commissions for public art installations, particularly in Austria and Germany.

Since 1987 has worked with the Vienna Artists’ House, which awarded him the Gold Medal of Honour in 2005. He also won the Anna Sussmann Prize from the Anna and Heinrich Sussmann Foundation in 1991 and the prize for small sculpture at the Gabrovo Biennale in Bulgaria in 1981.

As well as having an international following of private collectors, Behruz’s sculptures are in the public collections of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Berlin, the Federal Ministry for Art and Education, Austria (the BMUKK) and the City of Vienna.

Heschmat has been invited to take part in several international sculpture symposium.

He is also a poet, writing verses with few words and layers of meaning. While his work may convey a sense of loss or solitude, the artist is also funny, full of laughter and jokes.

31 Become the Sky ALIREZA ALIREZA ASTANEH ASTANEH UNTITLED, 2015 Unique piece Aluminium & Steel - 120 x 120 cm

Alireza Astaneh was born on 1982, he received the A degree of artistic license, Ministry of Culture, Iran in 2014 and the elite diploma of the “Iranian calligraphers society” in1997.

SOLO EXHIBITION

2015 > “Function of Flowers”, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2013 > “The Verbal Cage series”, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2012 > ”Tehran Taxi series”, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran 2011 > “Castelli series”, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran,

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION

2016 - 2013 > “Modern & Contemporary Iranian Art”, Tehran Auction, Azadi Grand Hotel, Tehran, Iran 2015 > “The Great Game”, 56th Venice Biennale, Pavilion of Iran, Venice, Italy “IBS” Auction, London, UK “Rebirth”, Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Paris, France 2014 - 2015 > “Neo- Traditionalism in Contemporary Iranian Art”, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art 2014 > “Inspiration/ Insistence”, Sotheby’s Los Angeles, USA 4 “City of Tales”, Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Paris, France 2014 - 2013 > “The Young Collectors Auction”, Ayyam Gallery, Dubai, UAE 2013 > “Voyage”, Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Paris, France 2012 > “Words Unveiled”, Geneva, Switzerland 2012 > The first Middle Eastern auction of “Millon auction house”, Dubai, UAE 2012 > “7th Vienna fair”, Vienna, Austria 2012 > “9th Shanghai biennal”, Shanghai, China 2012 > “Art Dubai”, Kashya Hildebrand Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE 2012 > “Magic of Persia”, Dubai, UAE 2012 - 2011 > “11th & 10th Art Basel- Miami Beach”, Miami, US 2011 > “Christie’s orientalists auction”, Paris, France 2008 > “Nastaliq masters”, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, Tehran, Iran 33 Become the Sky EXPOSITION du 02 au 10 février 2017 Become the Sky

CURATEURS Hessam KHALATBARI Yassi METGHALCHI

GRAPHIC DESIGN Nicolas IMBERT

GALERIE NICOLAS FLAMEL 216 rue Saint Martin 75003 Paris, France +33 1 42 71 87 83 [email protected] www.galerienicolasflamel.com

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