'Alternating Currents' inaugurates Parallel Circuit, a new art centre in Tehran

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Installation view of Alternating Currents. All photos in this post are by Matin Jameie for Dastan.

As I mentioned in my post about 'outsider' artist Reza Shafahi, despite the combined effects of sanctions and the Covid crisis, the art scene in Iran is buzzing at the moment. The easing of restrictions has brought a wave of gallery openings and the newly-renovated Tehran MOCA has delved into its reserves to put on an exhibition devoted entirely to Andy Warhol. If this is an indication of plans to show more of the collection, it can only be good news as many of the works in store have gone unseen for over 40 years.

As I also hinted in that earlier post, Dastan, one of the few Iranian galleries still present at international fairs, has added a new multi-purpose art complex to its portfolio. Parallel Circuit is, according to Dastan's website, 'a multidisciplinary art complex in the center of Tehran, Iran, combining a full-scale exhibition space, artists’ residencies, studios, and a common area for the organization of public events such as workshops, readings, presentations, and screenings.' The main aims, according to Mamali Shafahi, art director of the new complex, are to bring Iranian and non-Iranian practitioners together in Tehran to share their latest experiences, and allow Iranians currently unable to travel to maintain contact with the art world at large. Mamali wants Parallel Circuit to have the feel of an artist-run space, while offering artists on its roster or working in its studios access to professional gallery services such as graphic design, promotional and communication support. He hopes that the exhibitions will not only show new artists but also propose new approaches to how works are shown - curating and installation.

 

The opening exhibition, Alternating Currents, curated by Mamali Shafahi himself, brings together ten artists from Iran and abroad, working in a variety of media: Kevin Bray, Homa Delvaray, Alidad Jalali, Ida Jonsson & Simon Saarinen, Josefa Ntjam, Jacopo Pagin, Molly Palmer, Octave Rimbert-Rivière and Hamid Shams. It looks at how artists today are blurring the borders between art, design and craft, and how the way they use, re-use or reinterpret objects or styles raises questions about their relative value.

This link leads to information about the show and a gallery of photos on Dastan's website.

This link is to information about the new complex Parallel Circuit on Gallery Info, an informative Iranian website.

This link is to Parallel Circuit's Instagram account.







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