Portraits Photographs from Isfahan
08 Sep - 29 Oct 2006
Portraits Photographs from Isfahan, 1920-1950
8 September - 29 October 2006
In collaboration with the Prince Claus Fund Amsterdam’s photography museum Foam presents an exceptional selection of historic photos taken between 1920 and 1950 in the Iranian city of Isfahan.
When the Islamic Republic was established in 1979 Iranian women were required to wear a hijab, and it was strictly prohibited to photograph women who were not veiled. As a direct result of this prohibition many photography studios were burned to the ground - along with their prints and negatives. Collections of apparently worthless glass negatives were often stashed away somewhere and forgotten about. Parisa Damandan, a native of Isfahan, spent many years assembling a sizeable collection of portrait photos taken in the first half of the twentieth century. These portraits provide a remarkable insight into life in Iran at a time when traditional culture was developing into a modern society - a transformation that was largely reversed after 1979. Together with the Prince Claus Fund, Foam presents a unique selection from this extraordinary collection of Iranian portrait photos.
© Parisa Damandan 2004
Traditional sportsman with companions. Abolqasem Jala
8 September - 29 October 2006
In collaboration with the Prince Claus Fund Amsterdam’s photography museum Foam presents an exceptional selection of historic photos taken between 1920 and 1950 in the Iranian city of Isfahan.
When the Islamic Republic was established in 1979 Iranian women were required to wear a hijab, and it was strictly prohibited to photograph women who were not veiled. As a direct result of this prohibition many photography studios were burned to the ground - along with their prints and negatives. Collections of apparently worthless glass negatives were often stashed away somewhere and forgotten about. Parisa Damandan, a native of Isfahan, spent many years assembling a sizeable collection of portrait photos taken in the first half of the twentieth century. These portraits provide a remarkable insight into life in Iran at a time when traditional culture was developing into a modern society - a transformation that was largely reversed after 1979. Together with the Prince Claus Fund, Foam presents a unique selection from this extraordinary collection of Iranian portrait photos.
© Parisa Damandan 2004
Traditional sportsman with companions. Abolqasem Jala