INTERVIEW WITH OMID TEHRANI OF ASSAR GALLERY, TEHRAN, IRAN

Roxana Manouchehri, 2008,
Roxana Manouchehri, 2007,
Acrylic on Canvas

With its Iranian roots, Assar Art Gallery has focused on Iranian contemporary art since it opened its doors in 1999. So suffice it to say that Assar Art Gallery is part of the Middle East rather than being attracted to it.

We will be exhibiting Samira Alikhanzadeh, Reza Azimian, Reza Lavassani, Roxana Manouchehri, Ahmad Morshedloo, Babak Roshaninejad and Sadegh Tirafkan. These artists are selected because their work goes along with our curatorial idea to show what Iranian artists see when they address issues in their societies from within, using their own points of view and art contrary to the typical tradition of the West regarding the East.

The work of each of the seven artists is a perfect example of how Iranian artists deal with present day issues within their society, by incorporating elements from their own past heritage. Having been created from an Iranian frame of mind yet being received very well by Iranian and international audience, the work of each of the selected artists signifies an Iranian/universal perception of contemporary vision and artistic practise.

Roxana Manouchehri, 2008, Acrylic on Cardboard
Roxana Manouchehri, 2007,
Acrylic on Canvas

The fact that more Asian or Middle Eastern artists have found broader international recognition in the past couple of years is not because of the rise in the number of talents but because of the shift of the attention of the West to the East. One cannot disregard the fact that the intense competition caused by more extensive endorsement of the West has had a positive effect and caused a bloom in the contemporary art of the mentioned regions. 

The current state of the art market in the Middle East owes its notable standing to the efforts of many local galleries in the past decade in promoting modern and contemporary art of this region and introducing it to broader international audiences - including private and public collectors. Of course the extensive support of local and a few international art patrons in the past decade has been another crucial factor in developing the art market. In brief, the Middle Eastern art market has found a more international standing today compared to its local ranking ten years ago.

Fortunately, the Middle Eastern art market has not been hit as much by the recession compared to the same market elsewhere. This is because the local and international focus has remained on the Middle East due to many political, cultural and financial reasons. We believe that the market will pick up again within the next two years and any individual or art institution/gallery from this region that is involved in the business of collecting, showing, buying and selling art will further learn from their past experiences, expand their transnational knowledge and abide more by international rules.

Roxana Manouchehri, 2008, Acrylic on Cardboard
Roxana Manouchehri, 2007,
Acrylic on Canvas

Art Dubai should not be compared to any other contemporary art fair because of its distinct nature and makeup. This is a young art fair founded in a young yet dynamic state that is growing and developing so rapidly one can hardly keep track of its changes in terms of urban and cultural-social expansion. Such a rapid and rare urban and accordingly cultural growth has given Art Dubai, too, a special character that attracts the risk-taking art lovers/investors who wish to be the first to discover!

 

 

 

 


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