Death, decay and destruction - recurring themes for acclaimed Iranian artist

Описание: (22 Nov 2014) LEADIN:
Art enthusiasts in Tehran are flocking to the first solo exhibition in almost 40 years of one the country's most acclaimed artists, Aydin Aghdashloo.
Such is the interest in Iran in his work, when the exhibition first opened last week a queue formed outside the art gallery.
STORYLINE:
Decline, destruction and aging are dominant themes of these paintings by internationally-renowned Iranian artist Aydin Aghdashloo.
This is his first solo exhibition after nearly 40 years, showcasing just 12 paintings out of hundreds of his works.
The 74-year old is considered one the most prominent Iranian artists of his age.
Most of the paintings showcased at Assar gallery are part of a series called "Memories of Destruction" which Aghdashloo started back in 1970s.
Aghdashloo's focus is on "art about art", meaning that he bases his work on a classic work and builds around it or in some cases deconstructs or defaces it, by tearing apart, burning or even crumpling the original work.
"I often tear them (classic works) apart, or even burn them. In fact my main objective is to represent the climax of the art of a certain period, using its most excellent works, and then destroy them, to convey a meaning through the destruction. When a beautiful artwork is destroyed, there is regret and grief. The decline of something beautiful is regrettable." he explains.
Aghdashloo's command of both old Persian miniature and western art help him create exotic paintings.
He has done extensive research and written several books on ancient Iranian art.
Aghdashloo taught himself to paint and sold his first painting in his teens.
He copied Renaissance paintings, but began to add odd themes and distorted faces.
Describing a painting in the style of an old Persian miniature crumpled he says "This painting is meant to say that an invaluable work of art has been crumpled and is going away, and it is a pity. It's a sign of how our age mistreats the values of the past."
The artist is a frequent lecturer at universities in the city and one of the visitors was former pupil, painter Gita Ghazi.
"Although I was a pupil of Mr. Aghdashloo for a very short time, I'm very proud. Because he is one of the best painters on the planet, and a solo exhibition of his works was so interesting and exciting to me" she says.
Another visitor to the exhibition Fereydoon Jahanshahi says that Aghdashloo can be considered to be one of the most accomplished artists living.
"I consider him to be a top international painter. His works will someday become internationally renowned, and his works are good enough to be registered at UNESCO."
Aghdashloo says that his works have no political significance.
"I can say I am a historical painter. I am narrating the history. But history is not just about the past, it is also about the present. Therefore my work is open to social or philosophical readings. But a political reading would be incorrect. Because first it was not my goal (to talk politics). Second I regard politics to be on a much lower level compared to art. Art is of much more grandeur than politics, which is subject to change every day. Art doesn't lie, while politics lies. Art doesn't deceive, but politics does," he says.
The exhibition will go on until December 12.

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