Tehran Auction held its 9^th auction, offering Classic and Modern Iranian Art at the Azadi Hotel, Tehran, Iran.

Over 800 enthusiastic art lovers and collectors of Iranian art were present and drove the total sale up by almost 30% above the estimates. Of about 140 registered bidders in the room, more than 25% were first-time bidders. 78 works of art by 59 artists; consisting of 70 paintings, 7 sculptures, and 1 photograph; reached a total of 7,380,000 USD. This was well above the original estimate of around 5,675,000 USD.

Out of 78 lots 76 were sold, setting the record for highest total sale in the life of the auction. Several artists set their national records, including Sohrab Sepehri, Hossein Zenderoudi, Reza Mafi, Sirak Melkonian, and Aydin Aghdashloo. Considering the current economic situation, the success of the auction was a remarkable achievement. Go to Tehran Auction Site

A new exhibition of contemporary Iranian art in New York has recently opened at Susan Eley Fine Art in New York. Entitled “Beyond the Ban: Contemporary Iranian Art,” the exhibition includes pieces by several Iranian artists currently living in the US, such as Shirin Neshat, Nicky Nodjoumi, and Shoja Azari. A multimedia performance of photography, painting and video, the show comes in light of a precarious political situation for immigrants in the US. The exhibition thereby offers a much-needed political, social and cultural commentary on the current state of affairs while also showcasing the immense contributions of Iranian art in the world of contemporary art at large. Read more

Disbelief, ahh, and deep sorrow are some of the reactions to the unexpected death of this master of cinema– simple, real, and impactful. A cry for finding the truth about his medical treatment, which led to his untimely death, is heard all over the world…. but regretfully it cannot bring him back.

“Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, the country’s vibrant and original cinema took its place on the world stage. Among the many superb film directors who contributed to Iran’s new wave, the most celebrated was Abbas Kiarostami… read more” — courtesy of Guardian Newspaper

The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago is hosting two photography exhibitions featuring Iran as its focal point. “Burnt Generation: Contemporary Iranian Photography” and “Midwest Photographers Project: Hossein Fatemi” show the complexities of Iran and its people using photography as its medium.
Hossein Fatemi aims to dispel the harmful stereotypes of Iran and its people by documenting and showcasing their lives.

The exhibition runs until July 10th. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth a look. The exhibition will have a series of events to accompany it like video playlists and artist talks. Check out the calendars here and here.

Sadegh Barirani has been a pioneer in Iranian contemporary art and graphic design. He has designed posters for the Tehran Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and for the Roudaki Hall Opera House. Barirani finds inspiration in poetry and various contemporary techniques.
The Peninsula Press interviews Mr. Barirani on the video below.

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The art community in Tehran is strong, united and passionate. After announcing the intent to transfer the management of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art to a private Rudaki Foundation, hundreds of artists and art administrators held a massive protests in front of the museum last Saturday. Thanks to their efforts, the decision was discarded. Video in Farsi is courtesy of Voice of America News.