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POSHT-E PARDEH, BEHIND THE PAINTING: By : Vanzan, Anna Abstract : POSHT-E PARDEH, BEHIND THE PAINTING: WOMEN AS ART GALLERY MANAGERS IN CONTEMPORARY IRAN Anna Vanzan Università Statale Milano (Italy) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it It is almost a truism to say that women are at the vanguard of present Iran cultural life. Women have become the leaders of various artistic movements, and nowadays literature, cinema, visual and performing arts are inspired by a growing female presence. Women act not only as writers, actresses, directors, performers etc., but more often then not they also participate directly in the entrepreneurial process that make the artistic product possible, available and marketable. An interesting case in point is the new profession of art gallery manager, recently discovered by Iranian women and rapidly expanding, so much so that most of the poshest galleries in Tehran are directed or even owned by women. Some of these formidable businesswoman are the engine promoting the global success of Iranian painters (both male and female) whose works are now hosted in the main international galleries, from Dubai to London, from Berlin to New York and whose quotations have dramatically rocketed. This paper maps the updated situation of female-run art galleries in Tehran and it is mainly based on the conversation I held with some women merchants of art who operate in the capital during spring 2011. Their experience shows how a group of Iranian women are becoming arbiters of taste in the international field of contemporary visual art, while simultaneously offering the autochthonous artists (among whom we find many young women) the possibility to fulfill their ambition. Moreover, the art galleries they run constitute a common space for social interaction while promoting the love for art and beauty. Attached Document : View Link : http://www.annavanzan.com/ |