'Border' and 'Tehran' 2006

Tabrizian, M., Golding, A. and Nava, Z. 2006. 'Border' and 'Tehran' 2006.

CreatorsTabrizian, M., Golding, A. and Nava, Z.
Description

'Border' and 'Tehran 2006' are two related parts of a photographic project on Iran dealing with hardship and isolation on both sides of the border. 'Border' comprises twelve photographs (size 4'x6'). 'Tehran 2006' is one panoramic image (size 4'x10') which combines ten images. ‘Border’ focuses on untold stories of Iranians in exile. Using the codes of documentary, yet avoiding the usual generic approach,

‘Border’ combines fact and fiction. Reminiscent of movie posters, the work concentrates on the fantasy of return, using Beckett’s

notion of waiting in ‘Waiting for Godot’ as a metaphor for the bleak situation facing Iranians today.

Set against the cityscape of post–revolution Iran, ‘Tehran 2006’ focuses on the reality of the ordinary in extraordinary times. The

project eschews the usual representations of Iran such as social documentary, abstract photography, or exotica. Instead, it

echoes contemporary Iranian cinema, using non- actors and focusing on an apparently ‘small’ subject, treated allegorically to

allude to wider social issues.

Together, the projects deal with hardship and isolation on both sides of the border, challenging the fantasies Iranians have of

both East and West. Those living in Iran idealize life in the West; those living outside long for ‘home’. But both groups share the

will to survive - evident in the stories participants told Tabrizian - seeing survival as a strategy of resistance.

These are large-scale productions akin to film shoots, with high production values and meticulous research. Tabrizian is creative

author and director, assisted by Golding (lighting) and Nava (producer).

Both projects were funded by AHRC (Small Grants and Research Leave) and ACE (total £6000). ‘Tehran 2006’ was purchased

for Moderna Museet’s permanent collection, auctioned at Christies, Dubai (November 2007), and will show at Tate Modern

2008. Both projects were discussed at Tate Modern conference ‘Global Photography Now’ (Sept 2006). Images and related

essays were published in Portfolio No 44 (‘Border’ alongside Hamid Naficy essay); Next Level, No.2 Vol 5 (‘Tehran’ alongside

Tabrizian essay); New Formations, No. 62 (forthcoming)

Year2006
Web address (URL)http://www.mitratabrizian.com/border.php

Related outputs

off screen
Tabrizian, M. 2019. off screen . Kerber.

The Insider - video art
Tabrizian, M. 2018. The Insider - video art . UK & USA

Gholam- British/Iranian feature film
Tabrizian, M. 2018. Gholam- British/Iranian feature film. UK & Internationally

‘You don’t know what nights are like?’ – public art project
Tabrizian, M. 2016. ‘You don’t know what nights are like?’ – public art project.

'Looking back' - on the young unemployed
Tabrizian, M. 2015. 'Looking back' - on the young unemployed. Venice Biennial 09 May - 22 Nov 2015

Tehran project
Tabrizian, M. 2013. Tehran project. Fondazione Fotografia, Modena, Italy 20 Apr - 23 Jun 2013

Another country, 2010
Tabrizian, M. 2013. Another country, 2010. Fondazione Fotografia, Modena, Italy 20 Apr - 23 Jun 2013

Leicestershire
Tabrizian, M. 2012. Leicestershire.

Untitled 2009
Tabrizian, M. 2011. Untitled 2009. National Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland, Australia 18 Dec 2010 - 26 Apr 2011

City, London
Tabrizian, M. 2009. City, London. Albion Gallery, London 22 Jan - 28 Feb 2009

This is that place
Tabrizian, M. 2008. This is that place. London Tate Publishing.

The predator
Tabrizian, M. and Williams, C. 2006. The predator.

The perfect crime
Tabrizian, M. and Golding, A. 2004. The perfect crime. Elcano, Bilbao, Spain 19 May - 22 Jun 2004

Beyond the limits: silent majority
Tabrizian, M. 2004. Beyond the limits: silent majority.

Beyond the limits
Tabrizian, M. 2004. Beyond the limits. London, UK Thames & Hudson.

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