TEHRAN – A photo exhibition showing the works of late Mexican photographer Mariana Janpolsky was launched on Tuesday at the Museum of Sadabad Cultural and Historical Facilities in Tehran, in front of the Mexican ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Puente Ordica.
The exhibition, sponsored by the Mexican Embassy in Iran, illustrates the daily lives of people living primarily in rural Mexico. Mariana Yampolski’s work presents anthropological perspective that emphasizes the connections between individuals and social life in the various rural populations of Mexico.
The ambassador said: “The photographs featured in this exhibition reflect the diversity of cultural conduct and production that arise from showing everyday life, ritual and celebratory lives, childhood development, human and nature, work relationships, landscape reflection, and the environment that shows the environment that shows the environment in which people repeatedly depict the environment that people experience. The life experiences of Iranians belong to us.
“Through this exhibition, you hope to discover more and travel to Mexican work, rural or indigenous traditions.
Mariana Yampolsky (1925-2002) was a Mexican-American photographer. An important figure in 20th century Mexican photography, she specialised in taking photographs of the public in everyday situations in rural areas of the country.
Although she was born in the United States, she came to Mexico to study the arts and did not leave. Until her death in 2002, her work was exhibited internationally, receiving awards and other recognitions both in her life and afterlife.
Her work presents anthropological perspectives that emphasize the connection between the body and social life in various rural populations of Mexico.
Yampolsky projects her gaze and shares her with scenes of visitors typical of social realism within a multicultural framework that invites her to access memories, promoting reflection and recognition of the various cultural identities revealed in Mexican territory.
Her visual metaphors on social or natural themes promote an unusual and sensitive experience by exploring other meanings hidden in literal images and playing with compositions.
Mariana Janpolsky’s work suggests the local cultural creation and how to express the environment and reality through all-talented, playful, or disobedient ways of assuming strange, important inquiries that open up views to visitors.
Her works are found in 15 monographic books and numerous public and private collections around the world, including 15 monographic books and the Centro Culture Delte Modern Polane in New York, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Museum of Modern Art San Francisco, and the Phototecanaciole of Ina in Patcha. It is exhibited in countries such as the US, the UK, Switzerland and Italy at over 50 women’s exhibitions and around 150 group exhibitions internationally.
As part of her focus on her country life, an important aspect of her work was the promotion of Mexican handcraft and folk art.
Speaking to the Tehran Times, Mexico’s Ambassador Guillermo Puente Ordrica shared insights into the importance of Janporsky’s work, which can attract Iranian audiences.
“She was born in the United States and then went to study in Mexico, where she fell in love with the country, and her love was rooted in its people, culture, especially its ancient civilizations.
The ambassador added that for many artists, including those of Iran, there is an unexpected but strong cultural commonality with Mexico, and that connections are often rooted in shared emotional experiences.
“One of the most notable aspects of her work was how she photographed real people, those who carried the heritage of ancient civilizations. She had the ability to capture simple, everyday moments that reflected not only beauty and aesthetics but cultural depth.
When asked about her impact on future generations, the ambassador focused on her lasting legacy. “She made the personal decision to become a well-known artist and become a Mexican citizen. She is a symbolic act of showing her deep connection with the country. She not only made art, but she also developed her own style, her own school, which influenced the generation of Mexican photographers,” he emphasized.
Recalling recent cultural initiatives, he said: “Two years ago we invited a Mexican photographer to Iran. His work reflects the same artistic values, capturing the nature of a person in the environment, the moments of nature.”
Looking ahead, the ambassador expressed his strong desire to expand these cultural exchanges, saying: “We definitely hope to bring more Mexican artists to Iran not only as visitors but also to play, collaborate and engage with Iranian artists.
The ambassador was also truly impressed by his visit to the museum in the cultural and historical complex of Sadabad.
“I was very impressed. It’s always exciting to see works by such important artists, even if some works are not considered masterpieces. But what surprised me the most was the sense of history, something like Iran 100 or 200 years ago,” he said.
Ordorica discovered similarities to European and even Mexican artistic heritage, but noted that Iranian historical documents have a distinctive character.
Spread across the hilly areas of Mt. Tochal is a luxurious complex built by the Kajal and Pallavi dynasties, with gardens, museums and palaces. It is a great place to explore Iran’s history, myths and culture.
Yampolsky’s photos will be displayed at the exhibition at the Sa’dabad Cultural and Historical Complex until June 27th.
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