Abbas Kiarostami, Iranian ( 1940 - 2016), Photograph, Snow White

Abbas Kiarostami, born in Tehran in 1940, was not only a celebrated filmmaker but also a profound photographer whose visual narratives extended beyond the cinema screen into the stillness of photography. With a career that commenced in the 1960s, Kiarostami garnered international acclaim through his distinct approach to filmmaking, yet parallelly developed a deeply personal and exploratory path in photography. His photographic work often mirrored the contemplative and minimalist aesthetics evident in his films, focusing predominantly on the Iranian landscape. Kiarostami's series such as "Snow White" exemplified his ability to capture the serene and transformative qualities of nature, often using long shots and a subtle interplay of light and shadow to frame the everyday into something poetic and profound.

In the later years of his life, particularly after the 1990s, Kiarostami's photographic endeavors became more pronounced and integral to his artistic expression. Exhibitions of his work were held worldwide, including significant displays in galleries across Europe and North America. His photographs often avoided human subjects, instead capturing the essence of a scene through its geography and the emotive quality of natural light, which he believed acted as a narrative in itself. Through his lens, Kiarostami explored themes of life, death, and renewal, which are recurrent motifs in his cinematic and photographic works. His contribution to the art of photography remains influential, offering a quiet yet potent perspective on the landscapes and environments he portrayed. His work continues to be celebrated for its lyrical and understated beauty, making him a pivotal figure in the intersection of film and photography.

References:

Abbas Kiarostami Foundation. (n.d.). Photography. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://kiarostami.org/photography

Dabashi, H. (2007). Masters & Masterpieces of Iranian Cinema. Mage Publishers.

 

International Exhibitions:

• Paris (France), Agnes B’s Galerie du Jour: Trees and Crows, 2002
• London (England), Victoria and Albert Museum: Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker, 2005
• New York (USA), Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Abbas Kiarostami Photographs and Films, 2007
• Tehran (Iran), Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art: The Roads of Kiarostami, 2005
• Toronto (Canada), Aga Khan Museum: Abbas Kiarostami: Doors Without Keys, 2015
• Fundació Sorigué, Lleida (Spain): Abbas Kiarostami: Roads and Trees, 2018
• Paris (France), Centre Pompidou: Abbas Kiarostami: 77 Photos, 2018

 

Abbas Kiarostami, born in Tehran in 1940, was not only a celebrated filmmaker but also a profound photographer whose visual narratives extended beyond the cinema screen into the stillness of photography. With a career that commenced in the 1960s, Kiarostami garnered international acclaim through his distinct approach to filmmaking, yet parallelly developed a deeply personal and exploratory path in photography. His photographic work often mirrored the contemplative and minimalist aesthetics evident in his films, focusing predominantly on the Iranian landscape. Kiarostami's series such as "Snow White" exemplified his ability to capture the serene and transformative qualities of nature, often using long shots and a subtle interplay of light and shadow to frame the everyday into something poetic and profound.

In the later years of his life, particularly after the 1990s, Kiarostami's photographic endeavors became more pronounced and integral to his artistic expression. Exhibitions of his work were held worldwide, including significant displays in galleries across Europe and North America. His photographs often avoided human subjects, instead capturing the essence of a scene through its geography and the emotive quality of natural light, which he believed acted as a narrative in itself. Through his lens, Kiarostami explored themes of life, death, and renewal, which are recurrent motifs in his cinematic and photographic works. His contribution to the art of photography remains influential, offering a quiet yet potent perspective on the landscapes and environments he portrayed. His work continues to be celebrated for its lyrical and understated beauty, making him a pivotal figure in the intersection of film and photography.

References:

Abbas Kiarostami Foundation. (n.d.). Photography. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://kiarostami.org/photography

Dabashi, H. (2007). Masters & Masterpieces of Iranian Cinema. Mage Publishers.

 

International Exhibitions:

• Paris (France), Agnes B’s Galerie du Jour: Trees and Crows, 2002
• London (England), Victoria and Albert Museum: Abbas Kiarostami: Image Maker, 2005
• New York (USA), Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Abbas Kiarostami Photographs and Films, 2007
• Tehran (Iran), Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art: The Roads of Kiarostami, 2005
• Toronto (Canada), Aga Khan Museum: Abbas Kiarostami: Doors Without Keys, 2015
• Fundació Sorigué, Lleida (Spain): Abbas Kiarostami: Roads and Trees, 2018
• Paris (France), Centre Pompidou: Abbas Kiarostami: 77 Photos, 2018