Aghdashloo was born in Rasht in 1940. He was just 14 years old that sold his first painting canvas. Graphic designer, art and literature critic, teaching in art schools and colleges, author, manager of Reza Abbasi Museum, writer and producer of documentary films, etc. He is mostly renowned for his paintings.
Torreh specially interviewed Aidin Aghdashloo
By: Hamid Kargar, Amin Iranpour, Davood Shadloo
Aghdashloo was born in Rasht in 1940. He was just 14 years old that sold his first painting canvas. Graphic designer, art and literature critic, teaching in art schools and colleges, author, manager of Reza Abbasi Museum, writer and producer of documentary films, etc. He is mostly renowned for his paintings.
Regretfully referring to the declining public taste of Iranian culture, he talked to us about the carpeting industry of the country.
Aghdashloo: it has been a long experience of an unwanted period of declining taste in public life. The only difference is that we disappointedly confess the dire situation.
The great spirit of Iranian culture that took its shape through thousands of years and bore fruits has survived through many ups and downs. However, it doesn’t have any meaning now.
We can keep the memories green only if we remain active and alive. It is impossible to face the devastating storm and flood with a damaged infrastructure. Only a healthy body makes a healthy mind. How possible a forgetful brain keeps the culture alive?
Carpet’s resembling architecture is a functional element. This usability has been a mixed blessing helping it survive though with difficulty.
It is so hard to either create or even copy a declining style. Suppose I copy a renaissance artwork, how can I introduce the real spirit of true renaissance in it?
Ordered by customers in Kerman, the weavers changed parts of the patterns like flowers so professionally that could meet any taste no matter who ordered the job.
Professionals teaching carpet weaving or writing comments on that could also prepare the atmosphere for review of the current examples of that measurable spirit.
Carpeting is a popular art and that’s why it has survived through many years, though there are challenges like machine woven carpets and unstable economy that denies handmade carpets as an affordable object.
