State of Iranian Digital Art: Platform 101 Held the Largest Video Art Exhibition in Iran’s History

BY MARK ANDERSON

Platform 101, an independent, non-profit institution dedicated to nurturing and showcasing emerging digital artists in Iran, made a profound impact on the country’s digital art scene with its exhibition, Vol. 04: “Geometry of Creation: Analysis of Anti-Rhythmic Structures,” held at E1 Art Gallery.

This groundbreaking event became the largest video art exhibition in Iran’s history, featuring works from 44 artists—23 from Iran and 21 from abroad—representing 12 countries. Curated by Mohammad Ali Famori, founder of Platform 101, and renowned art researcher Ramin Saeidian, the exhibition ran until October 11, 2024.

Since its founding in 2018, Platform 101 consistently championed the evolution of digital art in Iran, with a focus on underrepresented genres such as glitch and fractal art. These forms emphasize imperfection and complexity, moving away from traditional decorative elements to explore deeper artistic structures. Vol. 04, with its striking black-and-white aesthetic, centered on anti-rhythmic structures, demonstrating how fractal patterns evolve amid disruption, a concept explored through video art.

This exhibition built on Platform 101’s legacy of pushing artistic boundaries. It followed the platform’s hosting of Iran’s first glitch video art exhibition in 2019, marking another significant moment for digital art in the country. Mohammad Ali Famori, also known for curating “Glitch in The Sacred Geometry” at “The Wrong Biennale,” collaborated closely with Ramin Saeidian over two years to bring this ambitious exhibition to fruition. Famori expressed his excitement, noting the historic nature of the event, which was Iran’s first to focus solely on fractal art.

The exhibition was divided into two key sections: generative coding art and videography, offering visitors a comprehensive look at fractal patterns—geometric shapes found in both nature and mathematics. These patterns, recognizable by their repeated structures at varying scales, symbolized balance and harmony, but when disrupted by glitches, revealed a unique beauty amid chaos. The artists featured in Vol. 04 explored this duality, showcasing both the order and disarray inherent in fractal designs.

Public Relations Manager and Curator Assistant, Arezou Ramezani, highlighted the significance of gathering global talent for this exhibition. She emphasized the international impact of Platform 101, stating that the event not only marked a milestone for Iranian digital art but also strengthened the country’s role in the global art community.

The exhibition was a major success, attracting both seasoned art enthusiasts and newcomers, continuing Platform 101’s mission to educate and inspire through digital art. “Geometry of Creation: Analysis of Anti-Rhythmic Structures” became a must-see for those interested in the transformative potential of video and digital art, and ran until October 11, 2024.

BY MARK ANDERSON

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