Italian Envoy Praises Iranian Arts

Tehran, April 9, IRNA – Italian Ambassador to Iran Alberto Bradanini said here on Sunday that Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts plays a positive and significant role in introducing Iran’s arts to the world. According to IRNA’s Cultural News Desk, he made the remarks while visiting the museum. The envoy also talked with director of the museum Mahmoud Shalouei. Praising Iran’s arts and appreciating its presence in international programs such as Venice Biannual, Bradanini said that the museum has attracted attention of the world to the Iranian arts. He also hailed the artistic measures taken by the museum. Shalouei, for his part, referred to Iran’s presence in Venice 54th Biannual and said that the Iranian artworks were warmly welcomed during the event. Displaying photos featuring the eight-year imposed war in the Venice Exhibition exposed the crimes committed by the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, in addition to introducing the values of the sacred defense by the Iranians, he said. Commenting on the artistic status of the museum, Shalouei said that it has so far organized various exhibitions inside Iran and abroad which were warmly welcomed by the visitors. He also thanked the ambassador for his cooperation in dispatching the Iranian artists to the event. Inaugurated in 1977, the museum was designed by Iranian architect Kamran Diba, who employed elements from traditional Persian architecture. The building can be regarded as an example of contemporary art in itself. Most of the museum area is located underground. It is considered to have the most valuable collection of western modern art outside of Europe and the United States. The museum hosts a revolving program of exhibitions and occasionally organizes exhibitions by local artists./end