Editors:Hans Wolbers、Reza Abedini

Design: Lava grafisch ontwerpers

This publication shows another side of Iran, one we do not read about in the newspapers or see on CNN. New Visual Culture of Modern Iran reveals a rich graphic design tradition, with fairytale book covers and posters, wonderful magazines, newspapers and photography. This book surveys the visual language that represents contemporary Iranian society, and gives an idea of what is really happening in this fascinating country. It reviews how Islams enduring presence has helped shape contemporary visual culture and describes the cross-pollination of separate disciplines, creating a unique variety of modern images, virtually uninfluenced by other styles or tastes around the globe.

Reza Abedini is the best known and most innovative graphic designer in Iran today. He works mainly on cultural assignments, designing imaginative posters, books and magazines. He is a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and initiator of countless forums on graphic design. Abedini has been teaching at the University of Teheran since 1998. New Visual Culture of Modern Iran is a collaboration between Abedini and Hans Wolbers, director of Lava Graphic Design in Amsterdam.