Melika Shafahi

The collection “Beautiful People”, is a look at the de_nition of beauty in today’s society of Iran.

At _rst glance, the current situation of Iran’s society can be de_ned in three words:

contradictory, traditional and young. These three words suf_ce to well understand the stressful social, cultural and economical atmosphere of Iran and witness the desires of a young crowd who have always valued their wishes beyond the existing borders of living.

In her works (Installation and photography), Melika Shafahi is trying to challenge this complication and contradiction with the viewer and herself, and her biggest obsession, is the issue of beauty and the new narcissism that has so tightly surrounded the society and the cyberspace. In this regard, the description of concepts such as: searching for identity, culture war, narcissism and individuality have occupied the artist’s mind. More than any other model, the present society of Iran, particularly in big cities, is under the in_uence of consumerism and the American lifestyle. In these cities there are countless youngsters who pass their days in dream of looking like a western hero or a superstar, and follow this dream in a targeted way.

Young people’s bold presence in the cyberspace and the social media like Facebook and Instagram, is a reason to reveal the fading of borders, the prevalence of cultural codes for global consumerism, and the development of an ambience for showing off “the beautiful self”, a self that is two-dimensional and has no depth!

Instagram for instance, due to its nature and structure, has provided a proper atmosphere for unveiling a self-portrait, and has turned out to be the best place for self display through photos and images. Sel_es with owners who have reconstructed faces. The cyberspace becomes a borderless playground, a wishland and where people expose a repeated self.

Melika Shafahi

Born in Tehran 1984

Lives and works in Tehran & Paris

www.melika.shafahi.com

Education

2012 M.A In Fine Arts, ةcole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, France.

2010 B.A In Fine Arts, ةcole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Montpellier, France.

2007 B.A In Photography, Arts University, Tehran, Iran.

Solo Exhibitions

2014 - Residence, photography, Bagneres de bigorre, France.

2012 -Tehran project & Emperor's new clothes, Rira Gallery, Dubai, UAE

2011 - Snowwhite, Igreg Gallery, Tehran, Iran.

2010 - Autoportrait, Photography and installation, Gallery de l'ESBAM, Montpellier, France.

2009 – 1001 Nights: Privet show,Tehran, Iran.

2008 -Tehran's project, Harandi Gallery Tehran, Iran.

Group Exhibitions

2015

- The World Viewed 2, Y Art Studio, Tehran, Iran.

- What Are You waiting For , Laleh June Galerie Basel, Switzerland.

- Mopcap 2015, shortlist exibition, Dubai, UAE.

- The World Viewed 1, Y Art Studio, Tehran, Iran.

2013

- Les enfants du Sabbat n°14, Centre d'art contemporain Le Creux de l'Enfer, Thiers, France.

- Prix Icart, Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris, France.

2012

- A Men , Aun Gallery ,Tehran, Iran.

- On the other side of the mirror, Septembre de la photographie, Lieus, Lyon, France.

- Iranian Arts Now, Cité internationale des Arts, Paris, France.

- Respect to time, Rira Gallery, Dubai, UAE.

- Ciphers, Tension with tradition in contemporary Iranian photography, SAW Gallery,

Ottawa,Canada.

2011

- Charivari 's FREAKS , Curiosities & Realities , performace & photo,Territorium gallery, Berlin,

Allemagne.

- Irma 6 p: m, Igreg Gallery, Tehran, Iran.

- The 2nd contemporary art exhibition, Sanandaj, Iran.

- Iran Incorporated, West beyond 51""40 Gallery Annie Gentils, Anvers, Belgique.

2010 – Tehran project, Château de la foret, Paris, France.

2008 - June begings may29, Laleh June Galerie, Basle, switzerland.

2006 - Green, Mehrva Gallery, Tehran, Iran.