DESIGNER;
ABOUT MASOUD AKHAVANJAM:
MASOUD AKHAVANJAM
Iranian sculptor Masoud Akhavanjam will exhibit two
large scale, stainless steel sculptures, as part of the
GAA Foundation’s PERSONAL STRUCTURES
– identities exhibition, during the 2019 Venice Biennale.
he sculptures, Dilemma of Manand Metamorpho-
siswill be exhibited publicly in Venice’s waterfront park,
Giardini Marinaressa from 5 May to 29 November 2019.
Akhavanjam’s industrial yet delicate forms draw on phi-
losophy, contemporary socio-political issues
and Persian mythology, so
that within each work a di-
dactic tale is contained.
Both works contain three vis-
ible figures, melded seeming-
ly effortlessly into each other.
Dilemma of Man(400 cm x
246 cm) is a portrayal of the
struggle between good
and evil. A human figure
is depicted with a pair
of wings. One wing
is a magnificent
feathered struc-
ture – the wing
of the angel, while
the other takes on a bat
like appearance – that of
the devil. The work evokes the
metaphor of having a devil on one shoulder and an
angel on the other, and the conflict of day-to-day
choices between good and evil. For Akhavan-
jam the figure is influential members of society,
and those whose decisions have a great impact
on humanity. The figure faces this dilemma: to
choose what is easy and wrong or to choose
what is hard, selfless and good.
Metamorphosis(207 cm x 80 cm) provides a simi-
lar comment on society, this time suggesting that
humanity must work together to achieve the great-
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er good. Three
figures can be
deciphered in the
sculpture: a bull, an ele-
phant and a deer. This combi-
nation is inspired by the Persian
mythical figures of the Achaeme-
nid Empire of Iran from around 500 BC.
By combining strong, powerful beasts
with smaller prey, the artist tells the age
old tale of how harmonic coexistence can
be achieved if everyone practices toler-
ance, regardless of differences.
Akhavanjam’s sculptures are made entirely
from stainless steel, a material he began to
use when working for his father’s manufac-
turing company for household appliances.
While initially using it for more prosaic
creations such as sinks and taps, he be-
gan to realise its worth for fine art sculp-
ture. Still appearing strong and sturdy,
with a weight of up to one ton, the way
in which the sculptor coaxes the works
means they simultaneously take on a
delicate, beautiful and gleaming form.
Akhavanjam says of the meaning of his
sculptures:
“Humanity has come a long way in terms of
tolerating and accepting one another in order
to coexist, but it seems like we still have far
to go. This is where art can play a part, by
demonstrating examples of this tolerance,
and how far it can take us. These public
sculptures are my plea to the earth to find the good in
everyone, and use it to make the world a better place.”
Janet Rady is a specialist in Contemporary Art from the
Middle East and has been working with the artist since
2016. Rady says:
“‘Masoud is a significant figure in the contemporary Ira-
nian market and his participation in projects both inside
and outside of Iran are testament to both growing inter-
national interest in his work and his renown in the art-
world. This is a rare chance to see two new monumental
works from the artist on public display in Venice during
the Biennale.”
The works in the GAA Foundation’s exhibition PERSONAL
STRUCTURES – identitiesexplore the commonness and
difference between Europeans in dialogue with works of
non-Europeans. The exhibition is hosted and supported
by the European Cultural Centre in two of its prestigious
Palazzos in the centre of Venice – Palazzo Bembo, Palaz-
zo Mora as well as the Giardini Marinaressa.
Born in 1969 in Tehran, Iran, Masoud
Akhavanjam was sent to Boarding School in
Marburg Germany, at the age of 14. In 1989
Akhavanjam moved to the United States and
attended the George Washington University,
receiving a degree in Biology in 1995. In 2005
he received an Executive MBA degree from
the Kempten University of Applied Science
in Germany. From 1997 to 2011 Akhavanjam
managed the Design Department the his
family’s Iranian manufacturing company for
household appliances. During his high school
years he took a sculpture class to make
ceramic sculptures. He made hundreds in the
80’s, some of which were sold. Later with
the knowledge he had gained through the
manufacturing and the interest he always had
in sculpture, he established his own workshop,
making his first bronze sculpture in 2011.
In 2013 Akhavanjam had his first solo exhibition
at the Etemad Gallery in Tehran, followed by a
solo exhibition at the Niavaran Cultural Palace
in 2015, and then a solo exhibition at the Shirin
Gallery in 2016. In addition, he participated
in Abu Dhabi Art in 2016, and CONTEXT
Art Miami in 2016 with Shirin Gallery. He has
exhibited in group exhibitions in places such
as Opera Gallery, Mojdeh Gallery, Mohsen
Gallery and Ariana Gallery in Tehran. In 2015
Akhavanjam participated in the Magic of
Persia Auction Dubai, and 2016, 2017 and 2019
at the Tehran Auction. His latest exhibition was
a solo exhibition at Khak Gallery in Tehran in
February 2019. Akhavanjam lives and works
between Spain and Iran.
For more information on Masoud Akhavanjam visit:
www.masoudakhavanjam.com
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