Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Reopens with Conflict-Themed Exhibitions After Ceasefire
After nearly 40 days of closure due to US-Israeli bombings, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) has reopened its doors with a new weekly rotating program called Art and War. The initiative kicked off last week, showcasing six pieces by renowned American Pop artists such as James Rosenquist, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Indiana. This week, the spotlight is on 11 artworks by Pablo Picasso, Antoni Tàpies, Robert Motherwell, and Juan Genovés, all reflecting on the Spanish Civil War, including three pieces from Picasso's Weeping Woman series. TMoCA, which boasts the largest collection of Western modern art outside of Europe and the US, managed to protect its $3bn collection during the conflict. Upcoming events will highlight themes from Mexico, Europe, and Iran, featuring live music, documentary screenings, and discussions.
Key facts
- TMoCA reopened after a nearly 40-day closure due to US-Israeli bombardments.
- The Art and War programme features rotating weekly exhibitions on conflict.
- Week one featured six works by James Rosenquist, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Indiana.
- Week two features 11 works by Picasso, Tàpies, Motherwell, and Genovés on the Spanish Civil War.
- TMoCA's collection is valued at approximately $3bn.
- During the war, 80% of oil was removed from Haraguchi's Matter and Mind to prevent ignition.
- Director Dabirinezhad contacted 40 international museums and ICOM about the situation.
- The museum remains in emergency preparedness mode with limited displays.
- Future weeks will focus on Mexico, Europe, and Iran, possibly including the Shah Tahmasp Shahnameh.
- The programme includes live music, screenings, and talks.
Entities
Artists
- Pablo Picasso
- Antoni Tàpies
- Robert Motherwell
- Juan Genovés
- James Rosenquist
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Robert Indiana
- Andy Warhol
- Willem de Kooning
- Jackson Pollock
- David Hockney
- Vincent van Gogh
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Noriyuki Haraguchi
- Henry Moore
- René Magritte
- Max Bill
- Demián Flores
- Emiliano Gironella
- Adolfo Mexiac
- Farah Pahlavi
- Oliver Hoare
- Arthur Houghton Jr.
- Reza Dabirinezhad
- Antonio Sánchez Benedito Gaspar
Institutions
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA)
- Iran's National Commission for Unesco
- ICOM
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Tehran
- Iran
- Spain
- Mexico
- Europe
- United States