Riverart.net displays the works of contemporary artist, Dr. A. Nadalian.  His work covers a variety of techniques:  carved rock, rock installations, video installations and land art at the Haraz River and Caspian Sea in Iran. He has also presented his concepts in ritual performances , body art, videos , animations and  multimedia arts. 

He presents his works via new media, and utilizes the capabilities of the digital age, such as the Internet. A number of websites, such as www.mysticalart.net, www.riverart.net and www.nadalian.com are dedicated to introducing his works.  He believes that a website is not only a place to introduce his work, but a contemporary way of conveying his ideas and art.

The inspiration provided by ancient myths, Zodiacal signs, symbolic and mystical subjects is clearly seen in new interpretations and styles.

His artistic activity in recent years has in many aspects been inspired by conceptual and land art. Using ready-made forms and giving priority to the concept has been the influence of conceptual artists, while transcending gallery spaces to set works in nature, and focusing on natural environments are the characteristics of land art. But these works are not merely land art. They are small in scale and not totally abstract. Carved images can be seen in his work: formal considerations and aesthetic values are still very well observed.

Through  ritual ceremony and performances, he hopes to sanctify nature. To him, walking along a riverbank and washing the stones, which he has already carved, is not only a performance, but also a prayer, a form of worship, an invocation. Perhaps even purification, the baptism of a culture from which only a fossilized image remains. One version of these performances, usually perform with his family (including his son, his wife and his mother) is a dedication to rain, blessings and fertility. Elements such as water, earth, fire and air are used in this work.

Body art has also been presented by this artist. He often leaves traces of his wet hand on the dry rocks of a riverbank, or wet footprints on dry rocks. The imprints inevitably disappear after a few minutes. To him these finite and dying traces of hand or feet symbolize the material aspect of man, his mortality. These dying works by Nadalian, lasting no more than a few minutes, may appear a wholly different issue from the themes of fertility, creation and eternity which are depicted on stone forever. However, the link between them is that the basis upon which both have been created is water, and they are presented in the river.

His family, ordinary people and children are not only the audience of his performance, but also participants. For his body art, he invites an old man to join him. Their dialogue is very interesting. On the one hand, he performs contemporary art among the public, ordinary people, trying to make them simple and understandable. On the other hand, the beliefs of these very people enrich his works, and the culture which exist among his simple countrymen is the source of the works he displays and exhibits for intellectuals.

He greatly enjoys working with children. His son Behzad carves images on stone and he follows his carvings, driving them deeper into the rock. The village children also draw charcoal pictures on the rocks of the riverbank, and he uses these images to carve into the rocks. He uses the vision and abilities of children to pass his message on to next generation: a message of love, the love of nature.

Ahmad Nadalian’s works are mainly symbolic. His recent sketches, paintings, carvings and rock structures focus on themes of fertility and creation. In recent years, alongside his sketches, paintings and carvings, he has presented his concepts in rock installations. Spending most of his time in the mountain region of Damavand, he derives his forms from those already in nature. 

His works are based in primitive art. He concentrates upon the ancient concepts and methods that are slowly vanishing. His choice of stone as a medium, and his technique, are in accordance with ancient traditions. Yet he does not attempt to give a primitive appearance to his art. His technique is different from ancient approaches. He displays his work in nature, on the ground. The presence of newborns in his work testifies to his interests; he is drawn not only to the past, but also to the future.
His only concern is that humanity, at present or in the future, may be less in harmony with the past, and with the earth and heavens.

Mysticalart.net  is another web site which introduces the works of  Dr. A. Nadalian, including drawings, paintings, cartoons, fabrics , photographs and publications.  This site also shows selected works of his friends which contain a  mystical approach. "Paradise" includes three galleries (Mithra, Anahita, Imaginary Garden) and "Celestial Mirror" which exhibits the peaceful and joyful artistic works of contemporary young artists.  

They are interested in working with people, organizations, museums and galleries around the globe and developing artistic experiences. Exhibition and presentations of these works can also be a field for cultural exchange and dialogue with other nations. 

Contact: Dr. A. Nadalian

Cellular Telephone: ++(98) 

RiverArt.Net -2003  © All rights reserved

Best view, 800 x 600 display resolution