Written Iran
This drawing offers a pastiche of Iranian landscapes. Architectural elements punctuate the drawing; some are iconic such as the two-tiered Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, and others archetypal, such as the domed yakhchals used in antiquity to store ice in the desert. Persian script—specifically, poems by seven seminal poets—weaves the structures together to create a single topography of language, memory, and architectural form. At the far right of the drawing appears the name of Nima Yushij (1896–1960), considered the founder of "new poetry" and remembered, in part, for incorporating vernacular speech and addressing the plight of Iran’s poor and politically oppressed. The name and works of five poets influenced by his writing appear subsequently as one moves from right to left. At the far left appears the name and writings of a contemporary of Nima. They lived on opposite sides of the country, and although they cultivated very different styles, they had enormous respect for one another and walked to meet each other in the middle.
Artwork Details
- Title: Written Iran
- Artist: Siah Armajani (Iranian, Tehran 1939–2020 Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- Date: 2015–16
- Medium: Marker ink, colored pencil and graphite on Mylar
- Dimensions: 42 1/16. × 223 3/8 in. (106.7 × 567.4 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2017
- Object Number: 2017.246
- Rights and Reproduction: © Estate of Siah Armajani / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
2021
Siah Armajani
1958
Siah Armajani
dated 1335 AH/1956 CE
Siah Armajani
dated 1335 AH/1956 CE
Siah Armajani
1997
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.