In Shiraz, a historic city in southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi transforms crumbling walls into vibrant artworks, creating a cultural hub that captivates visitors and social media users alike.
In the winding alleys of southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi has taken it upon himself to turn his rustic old neighborhood into a cultural and tourist hub through vibrant paintings and carved relief faces.
Narenjestan, a neighborhood characterized by crumbling, uninhabited houses, is nestled in Shiraz, a southern city celebrated for its historic architecture, lush gardens, and revered poets.
"Most of the dilapidated walls in old Shiraz have no historical value," said Yazdi, a 40-year-old artist with a bushy beard and glasses, who has dedicated himself to revitalizing Narenjestan.
Over the years, Yazdi has turned the long-neglected neighborhood into a vivid visual tapestry, “telling the stories of the people living here,” he said.
Arabesque patterns and relief faces, carved with intricate details and painted in vivid hues of greens, pinks, blues, and purples, now adorn the walls.
With its striking designs and bright colors, Yazdi's art evokes elements of Surrealism, presenting a surprising take on Iran's artistic heritage that extends beyond the traditional focus on Persian or Islamic architecture.
The artwork includes the face of Scheherazade, Yazdi noted, referencing the legendary storyteller from the One Thousand and One Nights folktales.
Yazdi's work stands out in Shiraz, where graffiti and murals are rare. His creations have become a social media sensation and a popular tourist attraction.
One visitor, Mahdieh, discovered Yazdi's murals through Instagram. "I arrived in Shiraz yesterday... and it was the first site I wanted to visit," said the 40-year-old, who declined to give her last name.
At the end of one alleyway, Yazdi has established his workshop in a century-old building with small rooms encircling a serene garden.
He also lives in the building, which reflects a traditional Persian architectural style. The residence is filled with artifacts and sculptures, resembling a museum warehouse. Replicas of Shiite mosque doors feature prominently.
To Maedah, a 30-year-old engineer, Yazdi's house recalls "other historical places in the city, such as the Eram Garden and the Mausoleum of the Poet Hafez."
Yazdi shared that he drew inspiration from the Pompidou Centre in Paris, a cultural hub that transformed the heart of the French capital in the 1970s. He hopes his efforts will turn Shiraz’s alleyways into a vibrant cultural center.
Visitors are particularly drawn to what Yazdi calls “the Finger Room.” Inside, he has installed around 14,000 finger sculptures on the ceiling, all pointing downward.
"The room is inspired by the legend of an angel that counts raindrops with thousands of fingers," Yazdi explained, referencing an Islamic fable. "These fingers are there to constantly remind us that the present moment is precious and that we must seize it."
With AFP
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