13 January 2023 - MAYMAND - ANCIENT CAVE VILLAGE - IRAN

 

MAYMAND

 - ANCIENT CAVE VILLAGE -

- IRAN -

G'day folks,

This 12,000 year old Iranian cave village has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. 

From an American point of view, where very few settlements have been around for more than a few hundred years, its hard to fathom just how long a village like Maymand in Iran (which is thought to have been established around 12,000 years ago) has been around. But the still inhabited cave dwellings help.

 

The staggering age of the settlement at Maymand was determined by fragments of stone etchings that established the existence of human settlers. However the defining characteristic of the village, namely its 300+ in-ground cave homes are not nearly so old, only dating back 3-4,000 years. It is thought that the cave dwellings began as religious sites, but slowly evolved into permanent houses as settlers stayed on the spot longer and longer. As the locals tell it, their ancestors carved out the simple cave homes using a type of hard, sharpened stone that can be found in the area as opposed to traditional tools. The single room dwellings are stacked atop one another four and five tall sometimes, yet each of the barren caves has room for its own stove area. 

 

Miraculously for such an ancient and stark settlement, the array of caves that make up the village are still inhabited today. Some of the homes are thought to have been continually inhabited since their creation thousands of years earlier. The population as of 2006 numbered 673, but tends to fluctuate with the seasons. The caves may have a sort of barren beauty, but they are not exactly luxury accommodations. 

Iran is a country rich in history, and the village of Maymand is one of the oldest places there, as well as one of the most beautiful.

15 December 2022 - PLAYING ON THE ROOF IN MASULEH, IRAN

 

PLAYING ON THE ROOF

 IN MASULEH, IRAN

G'day folks,

In this tiny Iranian town playing on the roof isn't just encouraged, it's the only place to go. 

Built right into the slope of an Iranian mountain, the small town of Masuleh has a unique, purpose-built architectural style where the front yard of each of the houses on the incline is actually the roof of the house below it, with roof-lawns trickling down to the base of the mountain. 

 

The tiny village has existed in the area for around 1,000 years and the strange stacked building tradition seems to have existed nearly the entire time. Looking almost like a clay-covered rendition of Brazil’s cramped favelas in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero, the communities of Masuleh make much better use of the space. Atop the roofs of many of the cascading houses, lawns have been planted and other traditional yard fixtures have been laid out by the tenant above who in turn is covered by the front yard of their upstairs neighbor, and so on. 

So tightly packed are the buildings that there is only room for a maze-like network of stairs and narrow roads connecting each of the structures. In fact automobiles are not allowed in Masuleh simply because there is no room for them.

 

The landscape surrounding Masuleh is lush and mountainous with a frequent covering of dense fog, so much so that many of the homes in the town are covered in bright yellow clay so they can be seen better through the haze. The natural beauty of the area attracts a number of visitors each year, but the town’s impromptu yard scheme doesn’t hurt. 

28 April 2022 - NUSHABAD UNDERGROUND CITY - IRAN

 

NUSHABAD 

UNDERGROUND CITY

 - IRAN -

G'day folks,

Welcome to a 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean city where ancient Persians took refuge in times of war. 

Just north of Kashan, in the small town of Nushabad, Iran (also spelled Noosh Abad), lies a sprawling underground city. Despite its impressive scale, the ancient buried shelter was completely unknown until a decade ago, when an oblivious resident stumbled upon a tunnel while digging a sewage ditch in his home.

What was discovered was an extensive, 1,500-year-old underground city, set between 3 to 18 meters (10 to 60 feet) deep. The labyrinthine network was comprised of three stories of tunnels, chambers, air ducts, staircases, canals, and booby traps. It’s considered a marvel of ancient architecture and engineering.

Construction of this man-made subterranean city, called Ouee (or Ouyi), dates back to the Sasanian (or Neo-Persian) Empire that ruled from 224 to 651. Inhabitants would dig underground chambers as hideout spots for women, children, and the elderly in the event of an attack by foreign invaders.

 

Over the years, the individual chambers were amalgamated, and air ducts, water pipes, storage spaces, and toilets were all built—creating a sustainable underground city that was used as a refuge during times of war. Each family had their own room of sorts, with a tunnel running down the length of these rooms, similar to a hotel hallway. 

Clancy's comment: What an extraordinary find. 

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21 May 2021 - TCHOGHA ZANBIL PALACE AND TEMPLE, IRAN

 

TCHOGHA ZANBIL PALACE

 AND TEMPLE, IRAN

G'day folks,

Tchogha Zanbil or Choga Zambil is a ruined palace and temple complex of the ancient Elamite city of Dur Untashi in Iran.

 

 Built in 1250 BC, the temple was founded by the Elamite king Untash-Napirisha (1275-1240 BC). The primary feature of the complex is a gigantic ziggurat (a rectangular stepped tower built to honor the main god of the city) dedicated to the Elamite divinities Inshushinak and Napirisha. 

 

Outside of Mesopotamia, the ziggurat at Tchogha Zanbil remains the best-preserved monument of this type. Incidentally, the city was never completed and was attacked and damaged by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal around 640 BC. 

 

The temple complex was excavated between 1946 to 1962 by archaeologist Roman Ghirshman after prospectors for an oil company discovered it in 1935.

 

Clancy's comment: I find the dates gob smacking. Built in 1250 BC!

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22 July 2020 - TARA VAHAB - GUEST ARTIST

TARA VAHAB 

- GUEST ARTIST -

G'day folks,

Today, I interview an inspiring artist from Canada.

Welcome, Tara ...

1.  TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY.

My name is Tara Vahab, I was born in Iran and raised in different countries. I started practicing visual arts professionally since childhood. Although I find my interest in various forms of art and languages, I received my BFA from University Of Calgary in 2015.

2.  WERE YOU GOOD AT DRAWING AS A KID?

I actually struggled a bit with drawing as a kid but loved colours and making objects, mostly crafts, anything from paper flowers to stuffed toys, pottery, painting and baking. As a kid I could spend an entire day working on my little creative projects.

3.  WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ARTIST?

My parents found out about my interest and talent and decided to provide me with professional practice in visual arts when I was about 8-9 years old. Since then I do not remember a time in my life that I completely stopped making art.

4.  WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?

The fact that I can keep up with a routine of making art but always making something new and also being an artist gives me the freedom I crave for exploration, never ending research and expression.

5.  WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?

Having faith in my art and my mission as an artist when nobody else does, in other words, sometimes being my own army, my own team, my own fan, my own admirer and even my own muse!

6.  DO YOU WORK FOR YOURSELF, OTHERS OR BOTH?

I am working for myself as an artist and founder of LOUD Art Society, a humanitarian organization that helps to enhance health through art and creativity. Also, I am teaching Creative Acrylic Painting and En Plein Air Painting at the continue education of University of Calgary

7.  WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Although once we achieve anything great, it no longer feels that great.  However, I consider my humanitarian work, leaving a legacy through my art and being able to heal individuals with my art program as a greatest achievement for me.

8.  WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

Currently I am working on several projects: woven newspaper art project that I started years ago, a doodling project on my social media and documentation of my findings for my upcoming book “Self-Therapy through Art & Creativity” a guide to higher emotional intelligence.

9.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEDIUM?

Acrylic and oil paint. Any non-traditional medium that inspires me such as newspaper.

10.      WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Mysticism and human mind

11.      WHAT DO YOU PREFER TO PAINT OR ILLUSTRATE?

To paint

12.      DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR EMERGING ARTISTS?

Keep producing more art even if you don’t think you are making good art because:

-         Practice will make it perfect, your work will eventually improve within its authenticity

-         Create a collection of your own works, eventually volume and quantity will speak much louder than quality

-         Quality of your work is your style and brand. Accept is for what it is or improve it for what you want it to be

13.      DO YOU SUFFER FROM ARTIST’S BLOCK?

When I am burned out or I just received a rejection for my proposal, yes! But even then, I am refuging to art, I just need to change my activities. In fact, I have made a video on how to get access to the creative flow.

14.      DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED SCHEDULE?

It depends to the project that I am working on. Sometimes, I need the daylight and sometimes I prefer the silence of the night.

15.      DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE TO WORK?

When the weather cooperates, I love creating in the nature.

16.      WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN YOUR WORK?

Colours, shapes and forms. The joy of making, the process itself, reflecting and every time learning something new. I also really enjoy sharing my joy through collaborative creations.

17.      WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST / ILLUSTRATOR AND WHY?

Oh, there are so many of them: Leonardo Da-Vinci for his timeless wisdom and mysteries in his creations, Frida Kahlo for transferring her pain flawlessly onto the canvas, Alex Grey for his complex and colourful metaphysical illustrations and paintings, Marina Abramovic for masterfully transferring her mental power through her performances.

18.      WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED?

“How did you do this???”

19.      WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED?

“Nobody will need this work!”

20.      WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

Art is often an outlet for our emotions so yes, I also sometimes am influenced by what happened in my life and that is what I find therapeutic but most of the times I see my art as discovering a new knowledge I need to learn about and present.

21.      HAVE YOU WON ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS?

I have received numerous awards the highlight of which is receiving a scholarship to study and exhibit at the State of Hermitage Museum in Russia and receiving individual artist grant from Calgary Arts Development

22.      WHAT DID THEY MEAN TO YOU?

I have been making art for almost as long as I remember and until not too long ago I was still very doubtful about whether I am an artist or maybe I should chose a carrier that challenges me more until I realized being an artist is perhaps one of the most challenging carriers to have. Receiving awards is a confirmation that I am an artist and a motivation to keep making more art.

23.      OTHER THAN DRAWING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

Sculpting, making installations and painting murals

24.      WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ALL WORLD LEADERS IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY?

Please support giving public an easier and more affordable access to practicing art and creative activities. We cannot solve the world’s mental health crisis that we are facing with just medications and counselling.

25.      DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Waking up early, work out, meditate, have a colourful breakfast while making some notes in my journal, start my work either on computer or on a project without getting interrupted! Have a colourful lunch and continuing my work, share my work on my social media and continue my work.

26.      WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Aside from making more art and increasing my online presence, I am also working on my vision of creating spaces for people of all walks of life to practice any form of art for enhancing mental and emotional health.

27.      HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOURSELF?

Mainly through social media and networking.

28.      WHAT HAS BEEN MOST THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION?

Social Media, particularly making tutorial videos or videos of myself and my works

29.      DO YOU MENTOR OTHERS?

I do.

30.      DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?

Mostly informal mentors.  As a visionary artist, I consider constantly educating myself as a mentorship.

WEBSITE

YOUTUBE

 Clancy's comment: Well done, Tara. You are gifted.

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