mahsa shemshian

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?

The map of Tehran must be sought in the faces of its inhabitants. People in Tehran move to a rhythm woven from commotion. Sometimes, this commotion finds meaning in the anxiety and quick steps they take through the streets to reach their goals and the promise of tomorrow’s progress; other times, it appears in the eager rush toward a night gathering, in the hope of creating a memory for a more distant tomorrow. This rhythm can also be traced in the slower pace and more relaxed faces captured in old photographs of people in Tehran’s alleys and bazaars. In every era of the city’s life, one truth remains constant: without its residents—suspended in a whirlwind of both sorrow and joy—Tehran would lose its present identity. The faces of its people, moving endlessly back and forth, keep the capital’s heartbeat alive and carry it forward, anchored by the city’s deep and unshakable roots.

Tehran stands suspended somewhere in the twilight of its residents' sense of belonging. At times, it is a capital for migrants who have come in search of opportunity and a better future. At other times, it is the birthplace of those who entered the world here, have lived each day in this city, and who—each day—grapple with an inner struggle born of a feeling deeper than what others may know: a conflict between love for the city and concepts such as frustration, crowding, speed, noise, and smog.