As a part of Paris’ second annual biennale of world images Photoquai (until 22 Nov), the Musée du Quai Branly hosts a temporary exhibition highlighting the history of photography in Iran. Tracing photography’s development from mid-19th century studio portraits (think stern-faced newlyweds and antsy children) to contemporary experiments in digital imaging, the exhibition attempts to foster cultural dialogue unencumbered by cliché. The bulk of the exhibition has a photo-journalistic bent, featuring such well-known documentarians as Bahman Jalali and Kaveh Golestan, artfully treating Iran’s turbulent recent history. Including a wide sampling of photographic styles and approaches, the exhibition accomplishes its goal to address the subtleties and complexities of a culture often pigeonholed by western audiences. MO
Until 29 Nov
www.quaibranly.fr/
© Medhi Monem
