Solo Presentation of Works by Sahand Hesamiyan: Contemporary Istanbul 2017

Dastan is pleased to announce its participation at Contemporary Istanbul 2017 with a solo presentation of works by Sahand Hesamiyan. The presentation consists of a major work by Sahand Hesamiyan, “Nahankhane”, along with one of the piece’s prototypes and three works on paper. This is Dastan’s third participation in Contemporary Istanbul.

Central to the presentation is “Nahankhane” a recent (2017) large (4.12 x 2.12 x 2.12m) stainless steel and paint sculpture that continues Sahand Hesamiyan’s recent studies in the relationship between ‘the inside’ and ‘the outside’ in Iranian-Islamic architecture. On his explorations into this relationship, Hesamiyan says: “I often expose the superficial layers of the structures to offer a look towards the inward and sacred, by juxtaposing the external embellished Iranian architecture with its abandoned equivalent, transparent and accessible in its carcass form.”

“Traditional Iranian Islamic architecture is introverted, enclosed and recondite.” Hesamiyan continues, “The final creation is inaccessible, and can’t be appreciated completely at a glance or discovered in the initial survey.” In this sense, he believes that the inner ‘private’ space is both glamorous and glorious, while the outer shell is often simple and undecorated. “Preserved with mystery and grandiosity, traditional Iranian architecture is almost inscrutable.” With works like Khalvat* (2014) and Nahankhane** (2017), Sahand aims to “peel those architectural layers off, in order to open the inner structure to the viewer and offer an ability to discover meaning, spirit and core. The task set is to search for the truth, which in Sufi tradition, should be found in a clear form.”

Sahand Hesamiyan (b. 1977, Tehran, Iran) studied Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran (Tehran, Iran). His work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions in Tehran (Dastan’s Basement; Sam Art: A Dastan:Outside Project; Aun Gallery; 13 Vanak Street Independent Space) and Dubai, UAE (The Third Line***). Sahand Hesamiyan’s work has been also exhibited in numerous group shows in Iran, the UK, the USA, Italy, Mexico and Saudi Arabia since 1999. “Geometry”, an ongoing curatorial project by Dastan, features extensive research on geometrical forms used in works by Sahand and a number of other Iranian artists.

Sahand Hesamiyan has participated in six biennials and symposiums in Tehran from 2005 to 2014, including the 1st Sculpture Biennial for Urban Space in Tehran (2008). He has won numerous awards including the first prize at the Padide International Symposium of Contemporary Iranian Sculpture (2014), was a finalist for the Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize (2009) and shortlisted in Jameel Prize (2016). Sahand Hesamiyan’s works are included in Delfina Entrecanales Collection, The Samawi Collection and MAC Collection and numerous international private collections. Sahand Hesamiyan currently lives and works in Tehran, Iran.

* a sculpture named after a Persian word that translates to a hidden, private sanctum
** lit. ‘adyton’, i.e. the a small area at the farthest end of the cella from the entrance
*** Sahand Hesamiyan is represented exclusively in the UAE by The Third Line.

Venues

The Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC)

Istanbul Congress Centre (ICC)

Dates

13 September 2017, Preview (by invitation only)
14-17 September 2017, Public Visit (open to everyone)

Visiting Days and Hours

14-15 September 2017, 12:00 - 20:00

16 September 2017, 11:00 - 20:00

17 September 2017, 11:00 - 19:00