Hafez Rouhani
August 12, 2025
Perhaps paying attention to Tehran—its everyday life, its urban symbols and landmarks, its history, or even its hidden corners that hold meaning for small circles of friends—is part of the Iranian path toward self-awareness, in search of understanding and discovering itself as a subject. This perceptual process of what is called “Iranian,” together with the global growth and expansion of fields related to the study of everyday life and the city, lends even greater legitimacy to the focus on Tehran—especially now, when, alongside political, economic, and social crises, it has acquired multiple new layers.
At the same time, this tendency has carved out a market for itself, attracting enthusiasts who, at least in the field of visual arts, are willing to spend more generously on artworks related to Tehran. All of this, taken together, has opened the space for presenting Tehran-related art, and one can now see numerous cultural products related to Tehran and its associated subcultures in various forms—from mass-produced items (clothing, decorative products, etc.) to one-of-a-kind works of art exhibited individually.
So, can we consider the “Tehran” exhibition, held at Artibition Gallery from July 17 to August 11, as part of this very trend?
