EXHIBITIONS

NEYMEH -The Ritualistic Voice of Labor and Longing in Southern Culture

IRAN, BUSHEHR & JAM | JULY 2016 

Within the cultural fabric of Iran’s southern coastal communities,  NeyMeh  is not merely a work song; it is a resonant voice emerging from the heart of labor and the sea, a living embodiment of the rituals, beliefs, and legends that shape the spirit of their work and life. These rhythmic melodies, once sung by ancient mariners to synchronize body and soul during the arduous task of seafaring, offer a profound reflection of their worldview concerning the ocean, their labor, and destiny. The various forms of  NeyMeh  – from those associated with rowing (Midaf) and sail handling (Sharā’) to others heard during anchoring procedures (Gorgurkeshi) or the farewells to departing dhows (Oshār) – each function as an audible ritual, guiding human endeavor in harmony with nature’s rhythm and assigned dutie

This photography exhibition serves as a gateway into this ritualistic realm. Its core narrative is drawn from one of the poems associated with  Ney Meh  music, intertwining the ancient themes of “Qamar dar Aqrab” (the moon in Scorpio) – one of the oldest cosmological beliefs influencing destiny in Iranian culture – with the metaphor of the sea and storm. The story of a woman anxiously awaiting the return of her seafaring husband, entrusting her heart to the ocean and her prayers, exemplifies the pivotal role that ritualistic beliefs play in cultural and individual resilience when confronting natural hazards and the absence of loved ones

This exhibition presents a narrative deeply rooted in these very ritualistic perspectives and the beliefs of the southern people. From the perspective of this rich culture, NeyMeh  transcends being a mere musical form to become a spoken ritual for connecting with the forces of nature, soothing anxieties stemming from fate, and strengthening social cohesion. The photographs in this collection visually convey this ritualistic and ethnographic understanding to the viewer, inviting contemplation on the ancient origins of daily activities and the profound meaning embedded within folk culture – a culture where the coexistence of humanity with nature, and belief in forces beyond sheer will, form the very threads of existence

DANCE OF THE RAPHAEL’S DECK – A Synthesis of Ritual, Theater, and the Southern Spirit

IRAN,  BUSHEHR, JAM, BANDAR ANZALI, SHIRAZ | JUNE, JULY, August 2018

Dance of the raphael’s deck is the culmination of four years of photography capturing theater in Bushehr province. This theater is intrinsically linked with the southern air, its rituals, movements, and bodily forms reflecting the spirit of this ancient land and its inseparable connection to the daily lives of its people. This title, which may initially sound poetic, serves as a key for me to understand the essence of this lived experience—an experience where the boundaries between ritual and theater, and between the stage and the life of the South, gently blur

Raphael is the name of a grounded and sunken ship in the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf, symbolizing the intertwined and sometimes sorrowful history of Bushehr. This city itself is a grand stage for the theater of life and ancient rituals. I view the deck as a stage upon which the actors of Southern theater perform; a stage that is sometimes under the star-studded southern sky and sometimes within its narrow, intimate alleyways. Dancing embodies the living expression of the actor’s movement—their bodily form, which in the moment of performance, manifests emotion, thought, and most importantly, reflects the rituals and rhythms of life in this southern region

This exhibition offers a perspective on Southern theater through the lens of a camera. In this theater, every gesture, every glance, and every cry of the actor is not only part of the narrative but also an extension of the lived culture of the region’s people. From the unique performance rituals of the South to the formal expressions of actors influenced by the rhythm of life by the sea, all are brought together in these photographs to present a visual narrative of Dance of the raphael’s deck —a dance that comes alive on the stage of Bushehr, imbued with the scent of the sea, the authenticity of its rituals, and the vibrant pulse of Southern theater

DIVAB

IRAN, TEHRAN | JULY 2024

ARTIST : ALI ETTEHAD, BERKEH BAZRI & ARDALAN ASHENAGAR

Divab is a multifaceted exhibition, a collaborative creation by Ali Ettihad and Berkeh Bazdari, presenting a synthesis of a play, a performance piece, and a collection of artistic photographs. This artistic event embarks on a journey into the realm of ancient Iranian mythology, offering a fresh perspective on the concept of the “Div” (demon/spirit) within our ritualistic culture.At the core of “Divab” lies the play penned by Ali Ettehad, which narrates a familiar yet profound story: the invasion of a drought-bringing Div and the journey of determined people to confront this calamity. This tale is more than a mere retelling of a legend; it serves as a metaphor for humanity’s struggle against the forces of nature, life’s adversities, and the darker aspects of existence.Berkeh Bazri, through the language of movement and performance, brings a visual and sensory interpretation of this play to life on stage. The “Divab” performance embodies the tensions, hopes, and struggles of humanity in the face of drought. The movements, space, and sound in this piece reveal the hidden layers of the play, creating an immersive experience for the audience.The photographic collection accompanying this exhibition serves as a visual response to both the play and the performance. These images reflect the artists’ vision of the “Divab” world; they may depict aspects of the journey, the visage of the Div, or the resilience of the people, while simultaneously maintaining their own artistic autonomy. Each photograph is a framing of a pivotal moment, a profound emotion, or a personal interpretation of the original narrative.“Divab” is an endeavor to revive forgotten myths and demonstrate the connection between the past and the present. This exhibition acts as a bridge between dramatic literature, live performance, and the art of photography, thereby showcasing new dimensions of the world of Iranian ritualistic Divs and humanity’s eternal battle against its challenges

Festival’s Exhibition