INTERVIEW
March 30, 2024
MINIMALIST REVERIE
Photography by Nazanin Davari
Interview by Melanie Meggs
Nazanin Davari, whose roots delve deep into the vibrant soils of Tehran, Iran, weaves her narrative through the lens of her camera with a distinctly creative flair. With a bachelor's degree in graphics and a graduate degree in photography from Karnameh Institute, Nazanin has established herself as an accomplished artist in her home country.
Nazanin’s work has been recognized and featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, such as Glamour Affair, MP Magazine, Articulate, and photography books, in countries such as Italy, Scotland, Denmark, and Iran. She has also received a diploma of honor for her conceptual minimalism photography at the 35 Awards in Russia.
In the realm of visual poetry, Nazanin wields her camera as a painter wields their brush. With a minimalist's touch and a dreamer's vision, she crafts scenes that whisper tales of liberation and flight. Her photographs — a silent ballet, a freeze-frame of freedom — invite the beholder into a serene, untouched world. There's an honesty to her artistry, a bare soul in each frame. For Nazanin, photography is not just capturing moments; it is the quest of her inner visions, a scavenger hunt in the physical realm that begins in the depths of her imagination.
Embark on an enchanting odyssey as we unravel the mysteries nestled within the mind of Nazanin Davari. Traverse the labyrinth of her imagination, where each photo serves as a portal to myriad tales untold. Witness the synthesis of shadow and light in her photographic tapestries, stitched with the threads of her distinctive viewpoint. Let her lens guide you through an exploration of profundity and splendor, capturing the essence of ephemeral moments with perpetual grace.
“Images form in my mind before they are recorded. My mental images and dreams make me look for them in the outside world and in the world of reality, search and carefully look and search until I can record it. They are mostly my daydreaming and mental imagery.”
IN CONVERSATION WITH NAZANIN DAVARI
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Hello Nazanin, we are looking forward to learning more about you and your inspiring work. Please tell us what inspired you to pick up a camera and become a photographer.
NAZANIN DAVARI: My interest in art and especially the art of photography made me take this branch of art seriously and follow it.
Also, my strong vision and careful look, paying attention to the living environment as well as the pristine nature and the environment around me and the works of the artists of my country have inspired me.
TPL: Did your background in graphics contribute to your unique approach to photography?
NAZANIN: Yes, very much. Graphic art has been influential and inspiring for me.
TPL: Tell us what it is like growing up and living in Tehran, Iran. How has your home country influenced your artistic vision?
NAZANIN: Iranian people are artistic, hardworking and tireless people, and every part of my land is full of beauty, genius and art. These things have been effective in my artistic vision.
TPL: What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a female photographer in Iran? Were you able to overcome them? What did you learn from them? What are the advantages?
NAZANIN: As a female photographer in Iran, I freely engage in the photography profession and there are no restrictions. Women continue their social activities freely. I have not faced any challenges or obstacles in this field.
TPL: What is the significance of the recurring themes of liberation, flight, freedom, and silence in your work? What do you want the viewer to see...what is their 'take away'?
NAZANIN: I am interested in making the audience understand and get involved in the feeling of the photo at the moment, of course, the titles I chose for my works are one word and the audience is completely free to take the photos. The audience can get involved in the photo and engage in mental imagery with me. The perception of my photos and my view of my works is free.
TPL: If you could photograph alongside another photographer for a day, who would that be? Why? What would you want to share with them?
NAZANIN: The great teacher Abbas Kiarostami, who had a special look at the minimal style in photography. If they were present, I would be very happy to use and learn from their experiences.
TPL: What other photographers or artists have influenced you, and how? What impact have they made in the way you approach and create your work?
NAZANIN: Looking at the works of the best photographers of Iran and the world such as:
Reza deqati, Abbas Attar, Kaveh Golestan, Abbas Kiarostami, Sebastiao Salgado, and Steve McCurry.
TPL: What was the first camera you ever held in your hand, brought to your eye, and released a shutter on? What is the camera you use now and your preferred focal length? Is there anything on Nazanin's equipment wishlist?
NAZANIN: My first camera was a Minolta brand analog camera and I started with black and white film and developed my own photos in the darkroom.
Now I use a Canon 30D camera with a 55mm lens, Canon 7D and an iPhone 13. I don't have any special equipment in mind.
TPL: As artists we grow and evolve our process and practice, how have you evolved yours?
NAZANIN: By studying academic and university education, travel, innate genius and special vision. And seeing the works of great artists. I continue my process and I am still looking for progress and growth every day in this regard.
TPL: What are some of your photography goals? Where do you hope to see yourself in 3-5 years?
NAZANIN: My goal in photography is to convey my feelings, aesthetics, my special vision and my mental images to the viewer.
TPL: “When I am not out photographing, I (like to)…
NAZANIN: I love...
Study and to be in nature.
Nazanin Davari's photographs offer a captivating glimpse into her imaginative world. Here, amidst the simplicity of her minimalist style, the whispers of her mental imagery beckon you to a place where freedom and silence reign supreme. As you wander through her collection, the silence becomes a canvas, and her lens paints strokes of unseen beauty, inviting you to experience the artistry in its purest form. Immerse yourself in the depth of Nazanin's vision, for a journey through her lens is to see the world anew, and such a discovery promises no regrets.
