Isfahan Museum of Contemporary Art to reopen in mid-March
Isfahan Museum of Contemporary Art, one of Iran’s most significant artistic and historical treasures, will reopen on March 15.
The museum, after undergoing extensive renovation, will welcome artists and art enthusiasts, along with seasonal tourists, marking its return after four years of restoration and reflection.
Saeed Mohammadi-Panah, the director of the museum, confirmed the reopening and said, “This museum, also operating as the Isfahan Visual Arts Center, has completed a four-year phase of restoration and revitalization. Just in time for the New Year and on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, it is once again ready to host artists, art lovers, and of course, the visitors arriving for the Nowruz holiday.”
In conjunction with the reopening, two exhibitions will be inaugurated with the presence of the mayor of Isfahan.
The exhibitions, titled ‘Thirty Years of Museum Posters’ and ‘Thirty Years of Museum Images,’ will provide an in-depth look at the institution’s rich history, inviting audiences to explore its legacy through visual representation.
Mohammadi-Panah also highlighted the historical significance of the museum’s building. “The construction of this building dates back to the Qajar era and is one of the valuable architectural complexes in the historical heart of Isfahan, located near the Chehel Sotoun Palace. Over the years, it has undergone various changes in its function. Originally, it was the personal residence of Zill al-Sultan, the ruler of Isfahan during the Qajar period. Subsequently, it served as the site for various administrative purposes, including housing the Rakibkhaneh (stable), Jobehkhaneh (armory), and the Isfahan governorship, before officially becoming the Isfahan Museum of Contemporary Art in 1994.”
According to him, the museum has always played a pivotal role in shaping the art scene in Isfahan and Iran. “For exactly 30 years, this has been a home for both national and international artists, students in the visual arts field, and art researchers. The geographical proximity and close collaboration with the Isfahan University of Art, which nurtures a new generation of artists, has further increased the significance of this institution.”
The museum, known for its unique architectural design, boasts four large galleries. Over the past three decades, it has hosted works by renowned local and international artists, including the celebrated Iranian artist Farshchian and the renowned German artist Günther Uecker.
He concluded that the museum holds a rich collection of more than 700 invaluable visual art pieces, which will soon be displayed for public viewing in Gallery 4.
The museum operates under the supervision of the Isfahan Municipality’s Cultural, Social, and Sports Organization, continuing its vital role in the city’s art and cultural landscape.