In the
past two years there has been a great demand for environmental art in
Iran. Many young artists from different parts of Iran invite me to be
part of different environmental events and realize their art works in
nature. They are many and I can not have all of them in one occasion,
but I have been pleased to organize different events and respond to this
essential need of our society. Environmental art is the art of the
future. We can learn how to behave with nature. I wish in the future we
could have one environmental art event per day.
On
the first January 2008 we received British sculptor, Benjamin Hewett
(Ben) who came to our Paradise. On
the 2nd of April 2008, Ben went back home. Before he left I
give him one of my carvings which had a design of a bird. I called this
bird the Bird of Peace. Ben will take it home and make a nest in a
hollow of a tree where he lives and this bird will start a new life.
On
the first January 2008 we received British sculptor, Benjamin Hewett
(Ben) who came to our Paradise. On
the 2nd of April 2008, Ben went back home. Before he left I
give him one of my carvings which had a design of a bird. I called this
bird the Bird of Peace. Ben will take it home and make a nest in a
hollow of a tree where he lives and this bird will start a new life.
The concept of
permanence in sculpture is almost a subliminal aspect of Persian culture.
It is a culture that virtually defines meaning in art according to how long
the work will last. Then again, for artists like Behrooz Daresh and
Ahmad Nadalian, the idea of permanence as a criterion in art is clearly
beginning to change. They are interested in a more conceptual
approach, and, to some extent, a more implicitly political approach.
More
A week or so
ago my Iranian artist friend, Dr. Ahmad Nadalian, visited New York City and
several other US cities on an official invite for a sponsored exhibition
that he was having in Washington, D.C. I met him on a bright, sunny morning
in the northern woods of Central Park where he was carving several of his
'prehistoric' river art fishes. Dr. Nadalian has a long tradition of
submerging his carved rocks in rivers and bodies of water where they might
forever add to the spirit and environmental protection of the place. The
artist also views the fish symbol as being emblematic of the human soul.
Amazingly, before tossing one of his carved rocks into a pool
below a rushing waterfall, a local turtle made an appearance adjacent to the
rock that was soon to be submerged. A sign perhaps that the native species
of an urban park approve of this new addition to their habitat?
The image has significant meaning for Native Americans in
that it is a vessel for the spirit and holiness of peoples and
place. A constant reminder also that "No one should harm or
disrespect their sacred burial ground".
Nadalian is an Iranian sculptor whose life's work involves engendering
respect for living creatures and the natural environment. To achieve this,
besides living with nature himself, he established sculpture grounds in a
peaceful environment in natural surroundings. Water is a living element that
contributes to his sculptures, and many of the symbols he engraves and
sculpts are derived from ancient mythology and the rituals of pre-Islamic
civilizations.
more
By carving simple fish shapes and other forms
onto small stones and river rocks, artist Ahmad Nadalian seeks to
repopulate the spirit of neglected streams and rivers in his native
Iran and around the world and share these treasures with future
generations.
more
"I was so impressed with
your concept, working at low tide in the early mornings to carve signs that
during the day would be concealed. It calls into question so much
about time, history, language, meaning, and sculpture."
More
About Ahmad Nadalian
By :
Edward Lucie-Smith
In
Iran, Ahmad Nadalian (b.1963) is in the process of creating an immense
River Art installation along the banks and amidst the waters of the Haraz River, near Mount Damavend.
More
Nadalian is an Iranian sculptor whose life's work involves engendering
respect for living creatures and the natural environment. To achieve this,
besides living with nature himself, he established sculpture grounds in a
peaceful environment in natural surroundings. Water is a living element that
contributes to his sculptures, and many of the symbols he engraves and
sculpts are derived from ancient mythology and the rituals of pre-Islamic
civilizations.
more
By carving simple fish shapes and other forms
onto small stones and river rocks, artist Ahmad Nadalian seeks to
repopulate the spirit of neglected streams and rivers in his native
Iran and around the world and share these treasures with future
generations.
more
"I was so impressed with
your concept, working at low tide in the early mornings to carve signs that
during the day would be concealed. It calls into question so much
about time, history, language, meaning, and sculpture."
More
About Ahmad Nadalian
By :
Edward Lucie-Smith
In
Iran, Ahmad Nadalian (b.1963) is in the process of creating an immense
River Art installation along the banks and amidst the waters of the Haraz River, near Mount Damavend.
More
Nadalian is an Iranian sculptor whose life's work involves engendering
respect for living creatures and the natural environment. To achieve this,
besides living with nature himself, he established sculpture grounds in a
peaceful environment in natural surroundings. Water is a living element that
contributes to his sculptures, and many of the symbols he engraves and
sculpts are derived from ancient mythology and the rituals of pre-Islamic
civilizations.
more
By carving simple fish shapes and other forms
onto small stones and river rocks, artist Ahmad Nadalian seeks to
repopulate the spirit of neglected streams and rivers in his native
Iran and around the world and share these treasures with future
generations.
more
"I was so impressed with
your concept, working at low tide in the early mornings to carve signs that
during the day would be concealed. It calls into question so much
about time, history, language, meaning, and sculpture."
More
About Ahmad Nadalian
By :
Edward Lucie-Smith
In
Iran, Ahmad Nadalian (b.1963) is in the process of creating an immense
River Art installation along the banks and amidst the waters of the Haraz River, near Mount Damavend.
More
The
Magic of Colors and Memory of Objects 25th Festival of
Environmental Art in Iran- Hormoz Island Persian Gulf
Report by Ahmad Nadalian
Photos by Shahnaz Zarkesh, Fereshteh Zamani,
Atefeh Motehayer, Atefeh Khas, Hamed Karimipour, Azarnosh Nazari, Elham
Yazdanian, Armin Lotfi Fard, Amin Salmanian Tayebeh Mojaradian, Mithra
Soltani and Ahmad Nadalian
Persian Gulf Environmental Art Center
The Persian Gulf Art Centre on Hormoz Island in the Persian Gulf was
established in March of 2009. This new arts centeris
a host for contemporary environmental artists and is linked to
Paradise International Residential Center for Environmental Art.
In January 2010 invited artists who participated in the 25th Festival of
Environmental Art in Iran stayed in this centre and used colored earth and
natural pigments to ornament the buildings. In some instances the work was
conceptual and readymade objects were used to convey site-specific ideas.
For this restoration project, we also used nanotechnology, which made the
colors even more solid. More
During the summer months, Paradise Art Center usually receives
international and local artists in the north of Iran, and now in
autumn and winter months we can also receive artists on Hormoz
Island. The artists who have residencies during the winter can
stay in our center to realize their environmental art in the
nature and landscape of Iran. They can also experience living
with Iranian families, take part in the local cultural and
society, and enjoy traditional food.
My room
Thanks to all of the inspiring artists who gave new life to this
space
This image shows the interior space of my room when I first
bought this building.
This was a sift, but now is a bird cage
We preserved portions of inscriptions and the old texture of the
buildings walls.
I was also inspired by the primitive drawings of Kaniz and her life, and
produced a number of painting behind glass. I used organic, colored earth.
I sold some of my
works and dedicated money to Kaniz
I found this damaged doll on the street
I asked Kaniz to clean the doll and prepare local traditional cloths for
dressing it
Now the doll lives in the Persian Gulf Art Centre
Despite all of her suffering, Kaniz seems to have a childlike happiness.
This is what I admire and wish for
The children of Hormoz Island also participated in our festival
Artists who participated in the
festival preformed some other collaborative and individual works, too
Collaborative Project by New Art Group
photos by Shahnaz Zarkesh
A German traveler and musician, Jonas Fedrbe, participated in
our festival and wrote this statement: "You will not regret
anything you ever did, but you will regret everything that you
didn't"
Thanks
to Oleg Buryan, Antony Malolin, Marina Moiseenko, Elena
Malozyomova, Alexander Eremina, Nikolay Petrov, Simona
Ermina, Yaroslav Misonzhnikov, Maria Aprasidi, Marina Tsay,
Nikita Timoshenko and Nastia Titova.
A
German philosopher said: "The fish that flow the tide is death"
A
My fish
swim against the tides, and they are alive.
They cross
borders. I am artist and for me it is important to expand my art beyond
space and time.
The border
where I live cannot define me. I am trying to define my personal border
myself.
I desire to be like flowing water.
Still water
has a bad smell, and flowing water tends to be purer and is cleaner.
***
In
September of 2009 I traveled to Russia and was able to meet people and
perform a collection of environmental art projects in several regions of
this vast country.
During the
flight to Moscow I saw the Volga River, which is one of the longest
rivers of Europe.
The name of
Moscow itself is derived from the name of a river. My fish enjoy
swimming in a new territory.
Russian
artist Oleg Buryan helped me to find my way. He welcomed my arrival,
showed me Moscow, its biennial and told me all I needed about history,
life and present situation of this environmentally rich but challenged
country.
In this
world everywhere I see new landscape, new perspective...
My new frog
also jumped into the water of a pool.
Cherta River
At this
location, I installed some fish in the river and carved three fish on
the rocks by a holy spring. For me these tree fish, were a
reference to the Miracle of Jesus
In Moscow
Antony Malolin and Marina Moiseenko accompanied me, and we visited
several museums and exhibitions.
I continued
my journey to the north and in St Petersburg, where I met artist
Alexander Eremina, his sister, and their friends.
Russian
artist, Simona Ermina accompanied me and suggested some location for my
environmental art.
I gave one
of my carved stones with the image of a fish to Simona.
She
promised to install this fish on the frozen river of Nava in winter.
I have
already done this project in Finland. It is very exiting to imagine that
this spring, when the ice melts, my fish will carry my memory to the
bottom of Finlands Gulf.
In my
environmental art, I always try to involve local artists, and I am happy
that the order of universe and changing seasons will complete the
process of my art.
In St.
Petersburg I visited The Hermitage Museum. Beside visiting arts of
different nations, I studied the holiness of the female figures in the
art of ancient Persia. There I met Elena Malozyomova. She is very kind
scholar who sent me some images that I needed.
One night
Simona Ermina invited me to an art event. There I painted faces.
Nikolay
Petrov accompanied me we went toward to North St. Petersburg, near the
border of Finland. There I carved my designs on large stones and rocks.
My
hammer and Russian sickle.
During my journey and on many occasions I saw this Soviet logo on the
buildings.
I extended
my journey towards the north of Russia, and I dropped more fish.
Nastia
Titova is from Murmansk, the most northeast part of Russia.
When I came
back to St. Petersburg, I installed and dropped fish on a little island
in the middle of the Neva River.
Young
artist Yaroslav Misonzhnikov come there and assisted me. Very
soon his friends joined us.
Yaroslav Misonzhnikov, Maria Aprasidi, Marina Tsay,
Nikita Timoshenko
We had
wonderful day. After I finished my work, we had launch. We also visited
the city and Russian museum. Finally they took me to the local Academy
of Art. They were very kind to me, and at the end of day I said
good-bye
This was
the last day of my stay in St. Petersburg.
I went to a
supermarket. When I wanted to pay, my purse (all of my money) was
stolen.
I ask the manager of the supermarket to review
the security camera. The one who rubbed me was a girl who was wearing
boots.
While on the street I decided to take photos of
all girls who were wearing boots. This was all I could do. The
same night I come back Moscow.
Fortunately I had
my passport, ticket and I have already had already paid for my accommodation in
Moscow. During the last three days of my trip, I had no money to pay for meals,
nevertheless I continued my works.
In
nature I saw a pigeon that was dead and more pigeon that alive
I
carved a bird on a stone. I ask Oleg to suggest a nest for this bird
in the nature of Russia.
I
have already sent birds to USA and UK
I
told the story of my stolen money to Oleg. He referred to this saying of
Kazanowa (17-18 Century) who said: If you are invited by the Czar (king)
to Russia, you are well paid for everything. If you take a risk to come by
yourself, be ready for troubles.
I travel to most
countries across the globe after invitation, though I decided travel to Russia
by myself.
I had
good reason. How I can be land artist and not
see the largest country who is a neighbor?
It doesn't matter what can be the cost and risk
of a journey. It is important that I am trying to suggest a better
world. We always can find solutions.
I collect some coins on a rock in forest and near
a Church in Moscow and could buy bread.
What can be difficulties; can also be a ladder
for more progress and good memory.
Now I am happy that I could use this story to
make a new art project.
When I returned home some coins were left. I made
art works to remember my time in Russia. I know that my art and my life
are truly linked together.
Earth can be fertilised and that is why primitive people often
symbolised earth or water as female phenomena. In the north of
Iran , traditionally only women cultivate rice. By their
essence, women know fertility better than men. Primitive
man believed that the spoiling of earth could be regarded as
abuse of trust or incest.
North of Iran, women cultivating rice
In
ancient Persia , people had temples for water and worshiped the
Goddess of Fertility, who them named ANAHITA or NAHID. It
was believed that She is the source of all waters upon the
earth, fertility, purifying, and the seed of all males.
In
Iran we may find natural rocks that people use to symbolise the
female goddess.
As
an example, here you can see a natural rock. But local people
believe that it shows a goddess. They also believe that water
flows from her navel. She is the source of water and life.
Apart from this prehistoric example, we may find temples and
buildings from pre-Islamic times that were places for worshiping
this goddess.
There is evidence that the cult of worshiping goddess of water
existed in my village Polour. The people built a castle
near the springs and worshiped water.
Unfortunately due to construction of some factories for mineral
water, most of springs in Polour have been destroyed. They
ignore the rights of ordinary people and living creatures who
live there and need water too.
I
am very sad that in Iran, the organisation that is in charge of
these affairs legitimised this demolition of nature and historic
sites.
As
a reactionbefore and during
the process of this demolition, I installed and hide some of my
goddesses near the castle. I also carved my fish on the natural
rocks.
This is
unfair battle. I only use a hammer and chisel which is made by the
recycling of a machine's peace. But those who do not respect nature use
huge machines and so they destroy nature and my art-works very quickly.
Thedeath of my Goddess
One
may ask why I perform or install my artwork in these locations?
In many occasions the lovers of nature asked me to do so. I
believe that environmental art can be a solution for protection
of nature and cultural heritage.
The
survival of my artworks depend on the survival of nature.
I was aware that these works would eventually be destroyed, but
if those who by ignoring nature, destroy it, then I have good
reason to shout this fact.
Art
is notonly an
individual action, but rather it can be a dialogue of past peoples
with us, our dialogue with people in the present time, and also with
people in the future. We take something from one group and pass it
on to others.
In
my artistic life, my ethnic and cultural background, what I have
been educated and teach, my journeys, the people whom I meet, my
dialogues and notes are not only shaped by my art, but play an
important role in my character.
In the
past few months I have received e-mails from people who say they are
inspired by my works. I am so impressed how they respect copyright. What
I have learnt is that we need to promote this tradition. That is
why the same question arose in my mind: where did I learn my art? Who
are the people who have been inspired by my work?
In this
note I will present some e-mails and notes by other people who say they
inspire by me and finally I will present the references and sources of
my artworks.
More
Environmental art in
Iran is perceived and depicted as a multi-layered phenomenon.
Macrocosmic and microcosmic aspects of the universe are reflected in
this art form. Human beings have heavenly wishes and dreams,
nevertheless, we can also be prisoners of our earthly desires.
Heaven and earth meet in the human body .
We have a desire to
perceive heaven. But without seeing what is very near, we cannot see
far. On a smoky earth, we cannot see heaven.More
***
The environmental art festivals held in Polour, Iran
often deal with the natural elements of water, earth, air, and fire. The
human body consists of natural elements. Last year during the
18th
Environmental Art Festival
of Summer 2008, we realized a collaborative project named, "Paradise
& Hell". The fire of "hell" was to purify our "bad deeds"
Once again Iranian
environmental artists gathered near Damawand volcanic mountain. This
time we had quite a few Azari artists participating. 'Azar' means
fire, and it is the name for the people of the Azarbayjan
province in Iran. Iranian has good tide with fire.
The human body
consists of different elements. Man's body recognizes warmth and cold.
Elements such as water, earth, air and light fertilize the tree of
a human's life.
The meeting of fire and statues
made by the earth make them solid and eternal, but the meeting of wood
with fire results in non-existence.
In the shadow of an apple tree, we
used the branches of the tree of life and shaped our bodies.
The first men and women
were there
They stood firm
They burned. The result
of fire in their bodies was the enlightenment of truth
Heavenly pain and
earthly wound
The warmth and
illumination of fire surrounded the entirety of our bodies
We were by fire and light for the whole
night
We witnessed the
rebirth of sunlight during the next morning
A
