Portrait Photographs from Isfahan: Faces in Transition, 1920–1950

7 September to 29 October 2006
Exhibition 'Portrait Photographs of Isfahan' in FOAM, Amsterdam

Parisa Damandan

The establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 meant women were forced to wear the hijab and photographs of them uncovered were forbidden. As a result, many photographers’ studios were burnt to the ground, while remaining archives of invaluable glass-plate negatives were left to moulder in attics. Parisa Damandan spent over ten years accumulating an impressive collection of pioneering photographs from the early 20th century, in her hometown of Isfahan. Recently emancipated women posing in various state of dress, Polish war refugees on their tortuous journey home after fleeing the Nazis, men in fashionable hats or in traditional turbans and cloaks – these portraits offer a remarkable window on the changing face of Iranian society during a period of transition from a traditional to a modern culture. Essays on the development of portraiture in Isfahan, the social dimensions of portrait photography in Iran and the power of the gaze accompany the impressive visuals.

Parisa Damandan was born in Isfahan, Iran, in 1967. She has
a degree in photography from the University of Tehran.

Portrait Photographs from Isfahan- Review Quotations
'Excellent ... beautifully produced.' The Middle East in London

 'Reveals as much about how photographers worked in the first half of the 20th century as it does about how people in those times saw themselves, how the identity of a nation took shape, fell apart and reformed against a backdrop of industrialization, modernity, political change and looming revolution and upheaval.' The Daily Star, Beirut

'A fascinating record of social change.' Saudi Gazette

‘Highly recommended’ Choice Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

Portrait Photographs from Isfahan- Review Quotations

'Excellent ... beautifully produced.' The Middle East in London

 'Reveals as much about how photographers worked in the first half of the 20th century as it does about how people in those times saw themselves, how the identity of a nation took shape, fell apart and reformed against a backdrop of industrialization, modernity, political change and looming revolution and upheaval.' The Daily Star, Beirut

'A fascinating record of social change.' Saudi Gazette

‘Highly recommended’ Choice Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

 

 

 

isbn 0 86356 553 0
publishers Saqi Books with Prince Claus Fund Library, 2004
paperback, 30 x 24cm, 264 pages
16 colour and 283 illustrations
pages 272 pp
price £ 19.99
rights world, Saqi Books

Saqi Books

to order:
orders@alsaqibookshop.com
t + 44 (0) 207 7221 9347
f + 44 (0) 20 7229 7492
26 Westbourne Grove
London
United Kingdom W2 5RH
www.saqibooks.com