by Article by Abbas Mashhadizadeh, titled “Loving Endeavors”, Tandis Biweekly, Special Issue for the Eighth Art Research Meeting, Tenth Commemoration of Master Jalil Ziapour, Barg Gallery, 10 November 2009
Master Abbas Mashhadizadeh, sculptor and university lecturer
It has often happened that here and there, especially in universities, I have been asked: how was it that some of you or your teachers possess the ability to be active in several fields, and in whichever of the disciplines it may be, the works turn out magnificent?! My short and concise answer has been: the culture of human nurture and education until the era before World War II was such that in the realm of child rearing and training—whether at home or afterward—from the very beginning of childhood, in an atmosphere filled with kindness and patience, and by drawing upon all the knowledge and wisdom that was possible within the capacity and resources of the home and the teachings after the home, one was prepared for such a future as is being questioned.
After World War II, the advancement of science and knowledge, understanding and technique, the value and practice of art, and … everything was entrusted to the shoulders and hands of technocracy, occupation, and pure specialization, and it became as you see and find: groups upon groups of human beings, in a way attached and weary, become devoted to a desired occupation but are nurtured only and solely in one field, far removed from any affection, knowledge, and wisdom!
Of course, and a hundred times of course, technocracy has been able to spread comfort in abundance across the expanse of the world, but at a very, very high cost and at the price of sacrificing the tranquility of human beings, and along with it, widespread global depression!
It was for this very reason that our own predecessors in our Iran, to the extent of their ability, had been able, in a very loving manner, to carry out many, many tasks. Take this from before Islam until you reach Bu Ali, Bu Rayhan, Bu Nasr, Bu Sa’id, … and our contemporaries Dr. Hesabi, Dr. Hashtroudi, Dr. Mojtahedi, Dr. Ziapour, Dr. Yahya Zoka, … and some of us younger ones who have been the students of those dear ones and are, it seems, the last generation of those times. In the previous programs of these commemorations at Barg Gallery—which is, of course, a very, very commendable and fine undertaking organized in cooperation with the good publication “Tandis”—I also spoke clearly about my dear friend Jazeh Tabatabai: he himself, single-handedly and alone, throughout his short life, on the one hand possessed art and efficiency and brought forth creations and contributions to the measure of several individuals, and on the other hand, made efforts and strove as much as several organizations and offices for the contemporary and modern art of this land. It is truly amazing: one human being and all this capability and contribution!
Thus it is that our Jalil Ziapour was not only the first to bring the modern art of painting to this land, but the efforts that follow have been only a part of his endeavors:
– Founder and first director of the Tehran School of Fine Arts.
– The first researcher of Gilaki vocabulary.
– The first organizer of the phenomenon of major ethnographic exhibitions in Iran.
– The first publisher combating traditionalism in art by publishing the journal “Fighting Cock (Khorus Jangi)”.
– The first Iranian writer of the history of world art in Iran.
May his name and memory always remain alive and enduring. Amen!
