Mehrdad Afsari
{{short description|Iranian photographer (born 1977)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mehrdad Afsari
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Mehrdad Afsari
| native_name = مهرداد افسری
| native_name_lang = fa
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|9|21}}
| birth_place = Khoy, Pahlavi Iran (now Iran)
| education = University of Tehran,
Tehran University of Art
| occupation = Photographer, visual artist, film director, video artist, curator, educator
| known_for = Documentary film director
| movement =
}}
Mehrdad Afsari ({{Langx|fa|مهرداد افسری}}; born 1977) is an Iranian photographer, film director, video artist, educator, curator, and visual artist.{{Cite web |title=The 1st Tehran Annual Digital Art Exhibition |url=http://www.tadaex.com/2011/video/im-oblivious-of-all-things/ |access-date=2017-05-16 |website=The 1st Tehran Annual Digital Art Exhibition}}{{Cite web |title=Magmart {{!}} international videoart festival |url=http://www.magmart.it/fullartist.php?i=3319 |access-date=2018-05-22 |website=website}}{{Cite web |date=2019-04-12 |title=Filmovi umetnika – artRESOLUTION – razgovori, video i filmske projekcije |url=https://www.kcb.org.rs/2019/04/filmovi-umetnika-artresolution-razgovori-video-i-filmske-projekcije/ |access-date=2019-05-22 |website=Kulturni centar Beograda |language=sr-RS}} He is best known for his artistic and unusual landscapes with a conceptual and philosophical approach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-iranian-artists-shaping-contemporary-art|title=10 Iranian Artists Who Are Shaping Contemporary Art|last=Sajjadi|first=Leila|date=2019-09-17|website=Artsy|language=en|access-date=2019-09-18}}
Life and work
Mehrdad Afsari was born in 1977 in Khoy, Pahlavi Iran (now Iran).{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} He received a B.A. degree in 2000 in photography from University of Tehran, and M.F.A in photography in 2006 from Tehran University of Art (now University of Art).{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
He has been professor at Tehran University of Art for 14 years. He is an honorary member of Iranian Visual Artists Society.{{Cite web|url=http://avoa.ir/en|title=Association of visual arts of Iran|website=avoa.ir|access-date=2017-05-18}}
Since 2001, he has had 16 solo exhibitions{{Cite web|url=http://mohsen.gallery/artists/mehrdad-afsari/|title=Mohsen Gallery {{!}} Mehrdad Afsari|website=mohsen.gallery|access-date=2017-05-17}} in different galleries in Iran and his works have been shown in more than 80 exhibitions around the world such as Iran, China,{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldphoto.org/blogs/12-09-16/photofairs-shanghai-2016-records-strongest-ever-sales|title=PhotoFairs {{!}} Shanghai 2016 Records Strongest Ever Sales {{!}} World Photography Organisation|website=www.worldphoto.org|language=en|access-date=2017-05-17}} Germany, US,{{Cite web|url=http://hillyerartspace.org/portfolio/contemporary-iranian-photography/|title=Contemporary Iranian Photography {{!}} Hillyer Art Space|website=hillyerartspace.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-16}} UAE,{{Cite web|url=http://www.themine.ae/welcome/index.php/exhibitions/images?ref=25|title=uNclear deal – Ground floor {{!}} The Mine|website=www.themine.ae|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-16}} Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Slovenia,{{Cite web|url=http://www.mao.si/News/Winners-of-Instagram-photo-contest-Transmitting-energy-BIO-50.aspx|title=News – MAO|website=www.mao.si|access-date=2019-02-20}} Turkey,{{Cite web|url=http://www.iran-daily.com/News/113663.html|title=Persian art show in Ankara|website=www.iran-daily.com|access-date=2017-05-16}} Georgia,{{Cite news|url=https://www.artforum.com/picks/id=41749|title="SubTehran: Subjective Truth from Iran" at Center of Contemporary Art {{!}} Tbilisi|last=Pertenava|first=Lali|work=artforum.com|access-date=2017-05-16|language=en-US}} France, Canada,{{Cite web|url=http://www.photogaspesie.ca/en/portfolio/iran-visual-poetries-in-perce/|title=Iran: Visual Poetries in Percé|website=Photo Gaspésie|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-14}} Norway, UK such as Photo London{{Cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/arteconomy/2018-05-21/photo-london-convince-pubblico-e-collezionisti-un-offerta-internazionale-135008.shtml?uuid=AEIXXzrE&refresh_ce=1|title=Photo London convince pubblico e collezionisti con un'offerta internazionale|work=Il Sole 24 ORE|access-date=2018-05-22|language=it}}{{Cite web|url=https://photolondon.org/exhibitors/2018-2/mohsen-gallery/|title=Photo London|last=London|first=Photo|website=Photo London|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-22}} 2018, Venice Biennial in Italy, Paris Photo in France, Contemporary Art Istanbul{{Cite web|url=http://www.contemporaryistanbul.com/|title=Contemporary Istanbul 14–17 September '17, 12th year|website=www.contemporaryistanbul.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-18}} in Turkey, Queens Museum of Art (QMA) in USA, MAO Museum of Architecture and Design in Slovenia, The Reina Sofia Museum in Spain, Georgia Museum of Art, University of Westminster in London and Tehran museum of contemporary art (TMOCA).{{Cite news|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/news/2387092/%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1-84-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%AA-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF|title=آثار 84 هنرمند نوسنتگرا روی دیوار موزه هنرهای معاصر تهران میرود|date=2014-10-11|work=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|access-date=2017-05-16|language=fa}}
He has also been the Jury member,{{Cite web|url=http://farhang.org/2018/focus-iran-3-press|title=Focus Iran 3, a juried exhibition by Craft & Folk Art Museum and Farhang Foundation {{!}} 2018 {{!}} Press|last=Tabatabai|first=Behzad|website=farhang.org|date=17 May 2018 |language=en-gb|access-date=2018-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://farhang.org/programs/focus-iran-3-rules|title=Focus Iran 3 – Rules {{!}} Programs|last=Tabatabai|first=Behzad|website=farhang.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-07-04}} lecturer{{Cite web|url=http://www.nips.org.ir/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=2772|title=انجمن عکاسان ایران|last=yahoo.com|first=Vahid Alinaghizadeh :: v_alinaghizadeh [at]|website=www.nips.org.ir|access-date=2017-05-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://tandismag.com/15336/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%DB%B1%DB%B0-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86.html|title=گزارش دومین روز "۱۰ روز با عکاسان"|website=tandismag.com|language=fa-IR|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813072549/https://tandismag.com/15336/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%DB%B1%DB%B0-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86.html|archive-date=2018-08-13|url-status=dead}} and curator of many national and international festivals and exhibitions such as 11th Fajr visual arts Festival at Iranian Academy of the Arts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4463381/حلقه-افراد-در-جشنواره-تجسمی-فجر-بازترشد-اسامی-همه-دبیران-و-داوران|title=حلقه افراد در جشنواره تجسمی فجر بازترشد/اسامی همه دبیران و داوران|date=2018-11-20|website=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|language=fa|access-date=2019-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ivafestival.ir/|title=یازدهمین جشنواره هنرهای تجسمی فجر|website=www.ivafestival.ir|access-date=2019-05-22}}
Afsari curated the group exhibition Confined Landscape at Mohsen Gallery in Tehran in 2012{{Cite web|url=http://mohsen.gallery/artists/2015/mehrdad-afsari/|title=Mohsen Gallery {{!}} Mehrdad Afsari|website=mohsen.gallery|access-date=2017-05-16}} and the group exhibition Winter there in 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://mohsen.gallery/exhibitions/2015/winter/|title=Mohsen Gallery {{!}} Winter|website=mohsen.gallery|access-date=2017-05-16}} He also curated The Land of Bewilderment memoir exhibition of Mohammad Sayyad's photographs of Iraqi Kurd refugees, exhibited after some thirty years, which are replete with sorrow and bewilderment held in Nabshi Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nabshi.center/exhibitions/the-land-of-bewilderment/|title=Nabshi {{!}} The Land of Bewilderment|access-date=2019-09-14}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/arts-49515605|title=نمایشگاه عکس؛ محمد صیاد در 'اقلیم حیرانی'|date=2019-08-29|work=BBC|access-date=2019-09-14|language=en-GB}}
Awards and fellowships
- 2005: Third prize, 2nd Iranian Sea Photo Biennial, Iran{{Cite news|url=http://mehrnews.com/news/258708|title=دومين جشنواره عكسهاي دريايي پايان يافت|date=2005-11-28|work=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|access-date=2018-05-22|language=fa}}
- 2006: First prize, 10th Photography Biennial, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Tehran{{Cite news|url=http://en.icro.ir/index.aspx?fkeyid=&siteid=257&pageid=11747&newsview=342767|title=Tehran Photo Biennial winners announced|work=Islamic culture and relations organization}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/131321/Tehran-Photo-Biennial-winners-announced|title=Tehran Photo Biennial winners announced|date=2006-11-10|work=Tehran Times|access-date=2017-05-18|language=en-US}}
- 2007: Second prize, 4th Iranian Sea Photo Biennial, Iran{{Cite news|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/8609-02842/|title=چهارمين جشنوارهي عکسهاي دريايي ايران برترينهايش را شناخت|date=2007-11-27|work=ایسنا|access-date=2018-05-22|language=fa-IR}}
- 2008: "Art Bridge Program", International Arts & Artists,{{Cite news|url=http://www.artsandartists.org/cultural-exchange-programs/u-s-iran-exchange-2008/participants/|title=Participants|work=International Arts & Artists|access-date=2017-05-16|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226204739/http://www.artsandartists.org/cultural-exchange-programs/u-s-iran-exchange-2008/participants/|archive-date=2018-12-26|url-status=dead}} Washington D.C, New York, Charleston, USA
- 2009: Grant winner at "1 sq. Mile Project", Visiting Arts, London{{Cite news|url=http://www.visitingarts.org.uk/programmes/exchange/1mile%C2%B2/1mile%C2%B2-tehran/|title=1mile² Tehran – Visiting Arts|work=Visiting Arts|access-date=2018-05-22|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.parkingallery.com/?p=701|title=Tehran: 1 mile2 at Azad Art Gallery {{!}} Parkingallery Projects {{!}} Tehran|website=www.parkingallery.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-22}}
- 2016: Selected for "Iran and Norway Artist Exchange Program", Bergen, Norway{{Cite web|url=http://www.stiftelsen314.com/|title=exchange program Iran Norway|website=www.stiftelsen314.com|access-date=2017-05-16}}{{Cite news|url=http://kooshkresidency.com/news/nominated-artists-for-iran-norway-exchange-program/|title=Nominated Artists for Iran-Norway Program – Kooshk Residency|work=Kooshk Residency|access-date=2017-05-16|language=en-US}}
Publications
=Publications by Afsari=
- The Gradual Disappearance of Things. Iran: Mohsen gallery, 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://mohsen.gallery/publications/|title=Mohsen Gallery {{!}} Publications|website=mohsen.gallery|access-date=2017-05-18}} Edition of 1296 copies.
=Publications with contributions by Afsari=
- Eye 39: Mehrdad Afsari. Iran: Mahriz, 2010. Compiled by Iman Safaei. {{ISBN|978-964-94321-7-5}}. Persian and English text. Edition of 1500 copies.{{Cite web|url=http://iranbuybook.com/9789649432175|title=کتاب کتاب چشم 39|website=iranbuybook.com|access-date=2017-05-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://opac.nlai.ir/opac-prod/bibliographic/2143210|title=چشم ۳۹|website=opac.nlai.ir|language=fa|access-date=2017-05-17}}
- La Photographie Iranienne. Paris: Loco, 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.editionsloco.com/La-photographie-iranienne|title=Loco / Catalogue / La photographie iranienne|website=www.editionsloco.com|language=fr|access-date=2017-05-16}}
- Contemporary Iranian Art: New Perspective. London: Saqi, 2013. By Hamid Keshmirshekan. {{ISBN|978-0863567216}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.saqibooks.com/book/contemporary-iranian-art/|title=Contemporary Iranian Art {{!}} Saqi Books|website=www.saqibooks.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-16}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.mehrdadafsari.com}}
- {{URL|https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/art/exhibitions/mehrdad-afsari-at-mohsen-gallery|Harper's Bazzar Arabia by Irene Promodh 14 may 2018}}
- {{URL|https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/art/exhibitions/mohsen-gallery-presents-two-new-collections-by-mehrdad-afsari|Harper's Bazzar by Tanika D'souza}} 23 January 2017
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Category:Academic staff of Tehran University of Art
Category:Fine art photographers
Category:Iranian documentary film directors
Category:Iranian photographers