Can we stop history from fading? Ali Haddadi Asl, a young photographer from the ’80s who has captured evocative photos both in photojournalism and street photography, tries to answer this question. Ali considers the beginning of his photography journey from art school. He also thinks other fields of art, such as literature, theater, cinema, and music, are deeply ingrained in him. Ali is obsessed with the 60s. or 80s, the turbulent times in Iran.
One of his favorite habits is strolling along the streets and among people. Maybe, the link between his interests formed during these walks. Every time he goes to Laleh-Zar, He can see the destruction of part of its historical identity, like other places in Tehran and Iran. This became the stimulus for creating the “Once upon a time in Tehran” collection.
His main concern is to protect the history and identity of the people around him. Whenever he goes out, he takes his analog camera, and the shutter button records frames of his life like a historian.
He believes that photography, with all its originality and innovation, is a spontaneous action. In the frame of the telephone booth, while he was walking on Bab Homayoon street, he saw the booth and a little further a man in nostalgic clothes, and after getting permission, he took the picture.
Or in Bella’s shoe frame, He took two photos in the same location six years apart. This photo is a reflection of pre-revolutionary history in our time. The old architecture of the buildings is connected with the new cars, and they complete each other well.
Ali thinks of the people in his photo as the elements of change and evolution of culture, society, and beliefs, Which forces the future generation to review history.
Photography Ali Haddadi Asl