TEHRAN -- Thousands of years passed between the classic era and the emergence of the abstract, thousands of painters created art and paintings since the path led to the abstract.

Compulsion leads man to innovations, without innovations one can not continue its work.

An abstract artistic style represents color, line and nonrepresentational form. However, a classic style is quite clear. The subject is open in classic, while line and plane are limited. Contrarily, line and plane are open in abstract, and the subject is limited.

The "Effect of Color" is an exhibition that was recently held at the Niavaran Artistic Center by Parviz Masoudi. Masoudi has been living in Germany for some time and this is his first exhibition in Iran in many years.

In an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES, he spoke about the concepts of abstraction and tradition.

"Traditional art is so beautiful, especially in Iran, and I have tried to combine some parts of the fundamentals and traditions of Iran with Western techniques.

"However, if we just follow traditional angles and lines without innovations, development would be reversed. The great masters like Rembrandt or Kamal al-Molk made enormous efforts and brought about remarkable innovations and we are their followers, but if these masters were alive today, they would create a new way of painting.

"With changes and advancements in technology, there is a change in all fields including art, and if traditional methods persist, progress is impossible.

"Our viewpoint has changed. If we consider life, it has found an abstract form. The forms have been limited, but the movements, behavior and outlooks are open.

In reference to the opinion some people have about the abstract style of painting, which is not as popular or common as the classical style, the painter replied: "Seeing is a habit. Whatever we see around us, becomes familiar and we grow to like it. However, education is also needed so that one can learn something new.

"I believe it is a new culture that people should achieve, and they need to be guided, but there is no force in it, if a society did not like to have it, it is a privation. When he was asked why he chose this style he said, "I could possibly have worked in an impressionist style, but a compulsion and interest in it made me follow abstract.

"Iran has always been a leader in art, and the art of Iran and Iranians is quite well known to everybody in the world. If we do not want to lose it, we have to always be able to present our art to the world.

On the original technique he uses, he explained, "Water color is something new in the abstract style of painting. I wash my canvas 4 or 5 times while I am painting. After each color I use, red for example, I wash the canvas and the color remaining on the paper leaves a tonality I need for my work. Each work is created with patience and pure feeling.

"Along with technique, the composition is integral. The work is quite delicate, like miniature, and the motifs and designs are symbolic. The lines in my paintings depict connection and separation, the squares show rooms and space, and the circles resemble man and living things.

"I try not to ignore tradition in my work and believe its influence comes through in my paintings, but it is combined with modernist Western teachings and techniques."

Masoudi is now living in Murnau, Germany where he is in charge of the Cultural societies "Murnau Art Days".