This project is the result of hours spent in the environment, conversations with the people, and reflections on the geography of Bandar Anzali; from timeless wanderings through the city and the edges of the wetland, to witnessing what once existed and no longer does, and what is currently on the verge of disappearing.

In this exhibition, I aimed to create a space that offers a more tangible experience than what is seen in the photographs. For this reason, I brought objects, commonly found in the urban space and my photos, into the exhibition space. These objects are symbols of the past; elements I have frequently encountered in the urban discourse, scattered throughout the city. Now, here, together, I have attempted to create unity among them so that, in a shared experience, they can reveal their meaningful essence.

Part of this exhibition refers to archival photographs of Bandar Anzali from a not-so-distant past. I have used these photographs to forge a connection between the past and the present space.

The project “Midpoint of Decay” began in 2019 and is still ongoing. This exhibition is an effort to depict the geography of this region and its ecosystem through the mediums of photography, video, and installation.

Amirhossein naeima

January 2025