Kianian’s “Third Caw” made it happen

Kianian’s black and white series of crows found on Qeshm Island in southern Iran drew a group of enthusiastic viewers from among cineastes, photographers, painters and art lovers to the Mah-e Mehr Gallery.

Filmmakers Bahman Farmanara and Reza Mirkarimi, actors Atila Pesyani and Homayun Ershadi, artist Paviz Kalantari and photographer Nasrollah Kasraian were observed among the visitors on the opening day.

Kianian established himself as a multimedia artist in April 2007, when a collection of his woodworks went on display in an exhibit at the Iranian Artists Forum in Tehran.

In December 2008, he surprised his fans once again with “Photos of Loneliness”, an exhibition of photos depicting amazing images of trees at the Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran.

And now the glass vases embracing purple flowers in the gallery’s yard along with the burning candles welcome every visitor at the door and invite him or her to walk into the gallery where he or she is shocked by the cold images of winter.

The floor is covered with white salt resembling a snow-covered ground and the crow feathers are scattered here and there. The black and white crows hanging on the white walls and the cold air blowing into the gallery from the air conditioners altogether produce a feeling of a winter day.

Designer Fatak Musavi who supervised the design of the exhibit believes the exhibit needed a cold atmosphere.

“We used 5 tons salt to cover the floor. All the walls were also painted white and used the air conditioner to make the air cold inside. And musician Mani Bayat arranged the music for the exhibit,” the designer told the Persian service of MNA.

The note by Kianian at the entrance tells of his interest in crows: “if a crow sits in front of you and crows twice, news is coming, if it crows three times, it means the news is for you and something will happen, and when a group of crows crow in the sky, something bad is going to happen, you need to seek God’s mercy.”

The note continues: “I took these photos on Qeshm Island. I used to hear there are no crows on Qeshm, so where are these 20 to 30 crows coming from? I later heard they have migrated from India by ship! I was with them for several weeks, they presented me these fantastic scenic views.”

Photographer Kasraian writes his opinion on Kianian and his photos in a text also mounted on the wall: “Kianian said he has omitted the clouds, earth and sky and whatever is in the background with the help of a friend who knows Photoshop to emphasize these main topics. I consider these to be real photos that Reza is a photographer. The last time I saw his photos they were so fascinating for me that I knew they were actual photos.”

“These are photos since he has worked with the subject matter that photographers work with. He has recorded fleeting moments. They show us things in a way we have not previously observed and broaden our visual experiences. Reza is a ‘real’ photographer who demonstrates consistancy in his work. You as the visitors can tell if the photos are good or bad, and the passage of time will tell if Reza is a good photographer or not,” reads part of the note.

Artist Kalantari as one of the visitors is surprised to see the photos, “how beautiful are these photographs. I liked the simplicity of the pictures and the atmosphere of the exhibit.

“It seems that a new generation is coming that we need to understand. The new works of art by the younger generation are filled with new and eye-catching ideas we need to experience,” he said.

A collection of 12 large black and white photos of different sizes showcasing the crows flying in the sky, sitting on electrical cables, jumping, escaping and in various other poses will be on display until December 6 at the gallery located at 7 Nilufar St., off Africa Ave.

Photo: A number of colleagues attend the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition by actor Reza Kianian at the Mah-e Mehr Gallery in Tehran on November 12, 2010. (Mehr/Babak Borzuyeh)