TEHRAN -- Iranian photographer Kiarang Alai is showcasing a collection of his works at the Art Gallery La Voute in Eze, a village near the southeastern French city of Nice.

The collection displaying the beauty of the northern Iranian province of Gilan is currently underway in an exhibition titled “Semi-Permeable”. 

The collection composed of 40 black and white photos, went on show last Wednesday, Alai told the Persian service of Honaronline.

The photos introducing nature, social life, and daily activities of the people in the province, are shown with short captions giving brief information about each image, he noted.

“I intended to reflect an image of reality and that is why I decided not to show the usual colorful Gilan. I actually aimed to show my personal view from the region. In this series, several photos are also included, that highlight a village, which is deserted in the cold days of winter with only a few old men remaining,” he added.

Curator of the exhibit Laurent Quenehen has mentioned in his note that a great photographer has come directly from Iran to expose his sensitive impressions.

He has hoped that many Parisians will visit the exhibit and discover images of this distant country.

“I tried to make a selection among his many photographs. They are all very sweet and powerful, framed with much accuracy and adequate light. It is an unknown universe, so distant that it reminds me of personal stories,” reads the note of the curator about the exhibit.

It continues, “These grandparents and neighbors, these views are his own and yet seem to be mine. This elderly couple, photographed in the Iranian countryside, is also my grandparents. Come see for yourself. That will make you want to see even closer. Bridges unite and separate both the banks between people, everything is very semi-permeable.”

The exhibition will be running until December 29.

Photo: A poster for the “Semi-Permeable” exhibit

RM/YAW