PaykanArtCar Inc.

Overview

PaykanArtCar Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in the United States. It focuses on promoting human rights in Iran through collaborative art projects involving contemporary Iranian artists. The organization uses the iconic Iranian Paykan automobile as a canvas for these artistic expressions, highlighting various social and political issues within Iran.

The Paykan Automobile

The Paykan automobile, a symbol of national pride in Iran, was first produced by the Iran National Company in 1967. The specific Paykan used by PaykanArtCar is historically significant, having been a gift from Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to Nicolae Ceaușescu, the dictator of Romania, in 1974. This car was purchased at an auction in 2021 for €95,000.

Mission

The mission of PaykanArtCar is to provide a platform for artists to voice their support for human rights and social change in Iran. It aims to shed light on the struggles of various repressed communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and women, by engaging artists from the Iranian diaspora.

Notable Projects

• First Installation (2021): The first artistic rendition of the PaykanArtCar was created by Alireza Shojaian, an exiled Iranian artist. Shojaian's artwork aimed to raise awareness about the mistreatment of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Iran, particularly referencing the tragic cases of Ali Fazeli Monfared and Navid Afkari.

• Second Installation (2023): The second version of the PaykanArtCar was designed by Simin Keramati, an Iranian-Canadian artist. This installation covered the car with women's hair to highlight the struggle for women's rights in Iran and to honor Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked widespread protests in Iran.

Recognition

PaykanArtCar received the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent from the Human Rights Foundation, recognizing the project's innovative approach to advocating for human rights.

Founders

PaykanArtCar was founded by Mark Wallace, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and Hiva Feizi, the organization's executive director.

Exhibitions

The PaykanArtCar has been exhibited at various locations, including the Oslo Freedom Forum in Miami, Canada, Brussels, and Oslo, Norway. However, it was not shown at AsiaNow in Paris due to safety concerns related to the project's political implications.