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Alireza Sami-Azar (born July 13, 1961) is an Iranian architect, art historian, writer, and the founder of the Tehran Auction and Art Tomorrow Institute. He is recognized as one of the most influential figures in Iran's contemporary art scene. Sami-Azar played a significant role in opening Iran's art scene to international collaboration during the early 2000s when he served as the director of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA).
Since 2005, Sami-Azar has been teaching the history of contemporary art and architecture. He has also authored a three-volume treatise on contemporary art in the West.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Sami-Azar was born in Tehran, Iran, on July 13, 1961. He studied architecture at the University of Tehran from 1978 to 1989. In 1996, he earned a Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University).[1]
Career
[edit]Sami-Azar served as the director of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) from 1998 to 2005. Under his leadership, the museum held major exhibitions showcasing works from its permanent collection of Western art. These exhibitions introduced modern art movements like Impressionism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Minimalism to the Iranian public for the first time.
A series of exhibitions titled Pioneers of Modern Iranian Art displayed works of prominent Iranian artists such as Parviz Tanavoli, Hossein Zenderoudi, Massoud Arabshahi, Sohrab Sepehri, Mohsen Vaziri-Moghaddam, Morteza Momayez, Behjat Sadr, and Mansooreh Hosseini. Many of these artists had left Iran after the revolution and returned after many years.[2] [3]
In 2001, the first exhibition of Iranian conceptual art was held, followed by two annual exhibitions of new media art titled New Art. During his tenure, Sami-Azar organized Gardens of Persia: Old Wisdom, New Vision in September 2004, which showcased both antique works and contemporary installations.[4]
In 2004, the museum hosted Turning Point, an exhibition of British sculpture, presenting works by renowned British artists, including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst, and Anish Kapoor. The exhibition was a collaboration with the British Council, with works from the collections of the Tate, the TMoCA, and the Henry Moore Foundation.[5]
In 2005, Sami-Azar curated an exhibition titled Masterpieces of Persian Painting, which introduced classical Iranian painting. The same year, he curated Modern Art Movement, which featured works by renowned international artists such as Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Pollock, Rothko, and Warhol.[6] [7]
Influence and Legacy
[edit]During his directorship, Sami-Azar facilitated collaborations with European museums, loaning pieces from the TMoCA collection, such as Francis Bacon’s triptych to the Tate Britain and the Edinburgh Museum of Modern Art. Additionally, the museum supported over 50 exhibitions of Iranian contemporary art abroad, including in venues such as the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C., and London’s Barbican Centre.[8]
Sami-Azar resigned from his position in 2005 amid protests from Iranian artists who opposed his departure.[9] He continued writing and lecturing on contemporary art and architecture after his resignation.
Tehran Auction and Art Tomorrow Institute
[edit]In 2012, Sami-Azar founded the Tehran Auction, aimed at introducing and promoting the best of Iranian art to a global audience.[10]
In 2018, he established the Art Tomorrow Institute, focusing on providing professional masterclasses and fostering artistic education for young Iranian artists.[11]
Honors and Awards
[edit]In 2007, Sami-Azar was named Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.[2] On April 15, 2003, he was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor by the National Arts Club in the United States.[9]
Publications
[edit]- Movements in Contemporary Art: Postmodern Waves (2020)
- Movements in Contemporary Art: Conceptual Revolution (2012)
- Movements in Contemporary Art: Rise & Decline of Modernism (2009)
- The Birth of Iranian Modernism (2017)
- Movements in Art Since 1945 by Edward Lucie-Smith, translated to Farsi (2001)
References
[edit]- ^ Irving, Mark (April 2005). "Iran loses a cultural ambassador to the west". The Art Newspaper, International Edition. No. 157.
- ^ a b De Bellaigue, Christopher (Fall 2006). "A Conversation with Ali-Reza Sami-Azar". Bidoun. No. 8.
- ^ Neshat, Shirin (May 2005). "Mediator of hope". The Art Newspaper, International Edition. No. 158.
- ^ Vahabi, Kianoosh (Winter 2005). "Gardens of Persia: Old Wisdom, New Vision". Bidoun. No. 3.
- ^ "Turning Points". UnDo.net.
- ^ D'Amico, Fabrizio (2005). "Un'Emozione Dalbuio". La Repubblica. No. 33.
- ^ Melikian, Souren (June 4, 2005). "Rare Heirlooms of Iranian History". The New York Times.
- ^ Thomas, Kelly Devine (Summer 2003). "An Opening in Iran". ARTnews Magazine. Vol. 102, no. 7.
- ^ a b Irving, Mark (May 2005). "This is the only time in Iran that a cultural manager has been supported by artists like this". The Art Newspaper, International Edition. No. 158.
- ^ "Tehran Auction". Tehran Auction.
- ^ "Art Tomorrow Institute". Art Tomorrow Institute.