Persbook Environmental Art Annual

Among the active art initiatives focusing on environmental issues—seriously seeking to bridge the gap between art and concerns such as water, forests, and other ecological matters—the Persbook Environmental Art Annual stands out as a prominent example.

Persbook is an annual art event showcasing the works of Iranian artists, both residing in Iran and abroad. It was founded in 2009 (1388 in the Iranian calendar) by artist-curator Neda Darzi. In her artistic practice, Darzi engages with issues that are of collective concern and have a universal impact.

From its fifth edition onward, Darzi established long-term goals for preserving the environment and protecting Iran’s ancient heritage, making these the central focus of the event. Starting with the seventh edition, she personally curated and directed the entire program. By selecting various regions of Iran and emphasizing diverse cultural domains, she developed site-specific projects aimed at narrowing the gap between artists and the natural ecosystems of their communities. The chosen themes primarily stemmed from pressing social and environmental concerns, presenting a clear example of eco-critical discourse in contemporary art.

After several editions held in galleries across Tehran, Persbook shifted toward location-specific projects in different cities across Iran. This new approach began in 2016 (1395) with the Isfahan Dovecotes Project. Later editions were held in Yazd (2018), Sari (2019), and the tenth event in Kashan at the historic Manouchehri House.

Reflecting on Persbook’s environmental approach, Neda Darzi explains:

“The environmental focus of Persbook began with the fifth edition, centered on the theme of water. At that time, there was little public discourse about water scarcity, and we felt it was crucial to draw attention to this issue. In the sixth edition, we explored the concept of deforestation and environmental degradation, focusing on forest cover and plant species that were in decline.
However, environmental art is not limited solely to nature. It also encompasses the human environment and all its dimensions. We adhered to this principle by turning our attention to vanishing cultural practices in modern life—such as hand weaving, which has been pushed aside and nearly erased due to the dominance of industrial textile factories.”