Contemporary Iran is a complex place. The 1979 Revolution incited many changes, influencing how the country was perceived by its residents as well as by the rest of the world. While Iran has long been a major player in global culture, today it serves as one of the pivot points for international economic and diplomatic policies because of its location, huge oil reserves and nuclear capabilities. These multifaceted issues can overshadow the lives of individuals doing nothing more than trying to live their lives. "Urban Iran" gives voice to these people living and working in Iran today. With photographs of contemporary street culture by the artist - from graffiti to marketplaces to the underground music scene - a portrait of what daily life looks like in some of Iran's larger cities emerges. Written contributions from writers like prominent Iranian novelist Salar Abdoh further the issues and ideas presented in the photographs, revealing an Iran that is as divorced from the American media gaze, as it is inextricably linked.
