On the occasion of Ardeshir
Mohassess's exhibition at
New York's Asia Society and Museum:
Ardeshir
Mohassess: Art and Satire in Iran
Note:
The works of Ardeshir Mohassess presented here have not been published or
exhibited anywhere before. These works are part of the private collection of Dr. Rahim Asgard. They were selected by Mohassess and Dr. Asgard
and are being shared here with our readers.
Dancer
Exhibition:
Ardeshir
Mohassess: Art and Satire in Iran
Dates:
May 23rd - August 3rd
Time:
11:00 am - 6:00 pm (Friday until 9:00 pm)
Location:
Asia Society and Museum, 2nd Floor, Starr Galleries, 725 Park Avenue,
New York
This is the first retrospective of Mohassess's work to be presented in the
United States. The drawings on display were created between 1976 and 2000 and
reveal his focus on the conflicts between the oppressor and the oppressed both
before and after the Revolution of 1979. Mohassess's work is informed not only
by the complexities of modern history and politics, but also by traditional
Persian arts and culture. Throughout his career, Mohassess has remained a
resolute social critic, focusing on the cruelty, humor, and vulnerability of
human nature.
Acclaimed artists Shirin Neshat and Nicky Nodjoumi are guest curators of the
exhibition. Both Neshat and Nodjoumi have exhibited their work internationally
and find inspiration in the life and art of Ardeshir Mohassess.
Haji Firooz
Ardeshir Mohassess
was born in Iran in 1938 and began drawing early in his
childhood. In the 1960s, after receiving a degree in political science from
Tehran University, he worked as an illustrator for Iranian journals and
newspapers. Soon after, his drawings began to appear in major international
newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times. In 1976,
Mohassess left Iran for what he planned as a temporary stay in the United
States. However, with the outbreak of the Iranian Revolution in 1979—which
brought an end to the reign of the Pahlavi Shahs and instated a theocracy led by
Ayatollah Khomeini—Mohassess chose to remain in New York, where he lives today.
Vis and Ramin
A short interview with Mohassess
In early 1970s, I used to work at Kayhan newspaper
in Tehran. I was a curious young boy at the time. I had seen the works of
Mohassess published in the paper. I also used to see Mohassess in the hallways
of Kayhan. He had a very interesting personality which stood out. If I remember
correctly, he didn't talk much and our eyes never met. He seemed a very shy and
private person. To me he also looked like a cartoon character, the ones he used
to draw, and a fascinating character I should say. So now years later I
appreciated the chance to compile a report about him and to ask him a few
questions. Not surprisingly, his answers are brief. Mohassess obviously does his
talking through his drawings. That is the language he's chosen.
Unfortunately Mohassess has been suffering from
Parkinson's disease
for the last 20 plus years, and due his health issues he wasn't able to attend
the opening of his exhibition either. So I decided to keep the questions to a minimum and present them to him
through email. But afterwards I called him to say hello and thank him. I hope Mohassess
will be around for a long time
to offer us his perspective of our lives...
Q: Why did you choose to draw?
A: I didn't choose it . It chose me. And because I love it.
Q: What makes your pen move
the way it does?
A: I don't know.
Q: Do you feel you've been able to connect with your audience and
that your work was/is appreciated?
A: Somewhat. Most of my works are yet unknown.
Q: What is the toughest thing about being a cartoonist?
A: It is not tough for me. It is something like breathing and
heartbeat for me.
Q: What about the nicest thing?
A: Pleasure while doing it
Q: Did you always feel you had the freedom to draw everyone and
everything the way you see it? Did you ever do self-censorship?
A:
Not in
Iran. I self censored my self about extremely sexy stuff.
Q: If you were going to do it all over again, would you still
choose to be a cartoonist? That is are you satisfied with yourself as a
cartoonist?
A: Yes. It is the only thing I know how to do.
The Clowns
Against the Wall
The Clowns
Martyrdom in Dance
Don-Quixote
Books
Ardeshir Mohassess:
Art and Satire in Iran: Art and Satire in Iran by Shirin Neshat (Author)
And finally, the following video (in
Persian) provides a brief history of the life of
Mohassess and his current exhibition at the Asia Society and Meuseum.
Note: A special thanks to Dr. Rahim Asgard
for facilitating this interview and for sharing the works of Ardeshir Mohassess
from his private collection.
