Vahid Danaiefar. Ali Esmaeilipour

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Pauline Simpson
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3 Preface PIPER is a relaxation drink that embraces a natural state of feeling good and mixing with friends. It is a drink designed to promote social interaction by relaxing the mind - but not the body - so that people are in the perfect state of mind for socialising and partaking in our modern social rituals. With ingredients that encourage cerebral clarity and freedom of the mind, PIPER has a natural affinity with the creative industries, and creative expression, from music, to fashion, the arts and film. PIPER is 100% natural with no added sugar, preservatives or chemicals. PIPER was conceived a little over six years ago by three expatriate entrepreneurs living in the UAE. Sitting in a shisha café, relaxing with friends, the Founders discovered there was no non-alcoholic drink available to relax and enjoy the social rituals of the Middle East such as smoking shisha and spending long evenings talking in a café or majilis. It was from this that PIPER was born. PIPER was over 4 years in development to ensure both the quality of the product but the integrity of its functionality as a relaxation drink. PIPER is the original relaxation drink. In developing PIPER, the Founders researched a number of different cultures - from Polynesia to Mesopotamia - looking at what products were used by societies to promote social interaction before alcohol became prevalent for this use, or where alcohol was not available. The key active ingredient in PIPER is Lemon Balm, which is proven to relax and free the mind, creating clarity of thought, lowering stress and thereby lowering inhibitions and worries and promoting social interaction. Lemon Balm has a rich tradition of over 600 years of usage during the Middle Ages of being added to wine, incense, water and tonics for these purposes and only fell into disuse when all manner of new and unheard of plants and spices came to Europe following the age of exploration. Unlike other relaxation drinks, PIPER also includes a natural complex carbohydrate to ensure the body remains alert and avoids any risk of drowsiness or tiredness. The balance of a relaxed mind but alert body is known as the body s natural high and is the perfect state of mind for socialising, getting creative or simply enjoying the moment. The combination of Lemon Balm and PIPER s complex carbohydrate consumed in combination have been proven to significantly reduce anxiety based on testing salivary cortisone levels in the mouth, one of the most reliable biomarkers of stress. PIPER is distributed throughout the UAE and is available in some of the leading hotels and cafés in Dubai and a growing distribution in Abu Dhabi. PIPER has been accepted and is scheduled for distribution in gas stations and convenience stores across the UAE in the coming weeks. The brand is working on expanding its distribution in the GCC and Middle East and is also currently deep in discussions with distribution partners in Spain, China, North America and other European countries. Opera Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition of a rich collection of works by two renowned artists from the Middle East: Vahid Danaiefar and Ali Esmaeilipour. Opera Gallery has explored these unique styles and reveals them to the public via a comprehensive retrospective of two major contemporary artists. Vahid Danaiefar and Ali Esmailipour are Iranian artists who have much in common. They both play an important role on the Iranian contemporary art market, one thanks to his absurd visual mix of what is real and what is not; the other thanks to his blatant truthfulness regarding reality and his awareness of the simple things of life. This event deserves our utmost attention for the significant place both artists occupy on the Middle Eastern art market. Vahid Danaiefar is an artist who fully understands technology s role in our daily life. For instance, television is a media that aims at entertaining people. He refers to his art as television programs (TV Screen Series, 2010) and tries to represent an event or his perception of a particular aspect of life. To Danaiefar, art is simply a precursor form of television but the artist tries to combine the two. Both have the same goal of interacting with the spectator and visually entertaining the viewer through an image intentionally chosen by Vahid Danaiefar to implicitly express a specific idea. He also likes to combine reality and his imagination; his distinct painting style illustrates his rather absurd view of the cosmos. As for Ali Esmaeilipour: He is one of the few painters of our time whom I can see reaching for meaningful creativity without mockery, pretensions or personal preoccupations (Professor Aidin Aghdashlou, 1992, Zangar Art college). Ali Esmaeilipour is the perfect academic student in terms of style, an artist who remains faithful to his surroundings. Esmaeilipour is mainly inspired by day-to-day life; his technique revolves around realism. Many scenes depicted in his artworks refer to his childhood memories, especially from homelife (an opened or closed window or door; the sun shining into a room). According to the artist, these still life objects actually define the person and things that spell home, life and even love ; in the artist s own words, they are part of the simple beauty of everyday life that surrounds us. The simplest things actually mean the most to people. His memories will yet again be cherished and immortalized on his wooden canvas. This is his true perception of art and we, art connoisseurs the world over, embrace him for it. Iranian art is again distinguished by two newcomers to the international art scene; we hope you will take this opportunity to discover these immense talents and look forward to welcoming you to Opera Gallery. Created from ancient elements which enhance your state of mind, PIPER is a unique, stress-busting fusion that s a perfect mixer for chilled times and creative environments. Rooted in concoctions trusted for generations, it s designed to refresh your senses, with a 100% natural high. And today, it s here to enjoy; with friends, with conversation, with life. When you pick up a PIPER, you ll relax and unwind - freeing your mind to live in the moment. PIPER. Your State of Mind. Enjoy the show! Gilles Dyan Founder and Chairman Opera Gallery Group Ahmad Bachan Manager Opera Gallery Dubai 4 5

4 Vahid Danaiefar Born in 1983 in Tehran (Iran), Vahid Danaiefar obtained a degree in art from Azad University. Since 2002, the artist has completed one solo exhibition and ten group exhibitions in Iran. Reality and the artist s imagination as a young Middle Eastern painter come together in Danaiefar s unique style. Everyday confrontations with people and things result in a societal mix that influences his larger than life paintings on canvas. His distinct painting style illustrates the artist s rather absurd vision of the cosmos. Solo exhibition: 2003 Zarrabi Gallery, Tehran Group exhibitions: 2002 Iranian Contemporary Drawing, Barg Gallery, Tehran 2003 Bahman Gallery, Tehran Iranian Contemporary Drawing, Barg Gallery, Tehran 2004 Barg Gallery, Tehran 2005 Iranian Contemporary Drawing, Karaj 2006 Laleh Gallery, Tehran 2007 Selection of Painters New Generation, Homa Gallery, Tehran Azad Art Gallery, Tehran 2008 Sooreh University, Tehran Selection of Tehran s Galleries, Saba Gallery, Tehran 2010 Opera Gallery, Dubai And the wind blew through its hair, 2011 Mixed media on canvas 120 x 180 cm 47.2 x 70.9 in. 6 7

5 Two thumbs up, 2010 Mixed media on canvas 240 x 180 cm 94.5 x 70.9 in. Occult penalty, 2011 Mixed media on canvas 180 x 240 cm 70.9 x 94.5 in. 8 9

6 My intercession will never reach them (3), 2011 Mixed media on canvas Diptych: 180 x 240 cm 70.9 x 94.5 in. Tv screen series, 2010 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm 19.7 x 23.6 in

7 Tv screen series, 2010 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm 19.7 x 23.6 in. Tv screen series, 2010 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm 19.7 x 23.6 in

8 Tv screen series, 2010 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm 19.7 x 23.6 in. Tv screen series, 2010 Oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm 19.7 x 23.6 in

9 Ali Esmaeilipour Ali Esmaeilipour, considered one of the most famous contemporary painters from Iran today, was born on March 21, 1962 in Khomein (Iran). Between 1988 and 1991 he assiduously studied painting at Zangar, a reputed private art college. Shortly thereafter, in 1992, Esmaeilipour managed to organize his very first of four successful solo exhibitions featuring works in oil, acrylic and watercolour, in addition to his participation in more than 40 group exhibitions in Iran from 1991 to Esmaeilipour s paintings are mainly inspired by the ordinary objects of day-to-day life, with many scenes depicting life at home: recurring symbols such as an opened or closed door, the sun streaming through a window or shadows in a bedroom bouncing off of personal belongings strewn on a table. According to him, these are the things that make up everyday life. The things that spell home, life and love, for such are part of the simple beauty of everyday life that surrounds us. I come from a simple background and it s the simple things in life that mean the most to a person ultimately. Esmaeilipour moved to Singapore in 1998 where he now lives with his family. Solo exhibitions: 1991 Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran 1993 Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran 1995 One huge painting commissioned by Iran s Ministry of Olympics 1996 Seyhoon Gallery, Tehran Four paintings commissioned by Iran s Museum of Heritage & Culture 1997 Received Honorary Diploma of Art from Ministry of Islamic Guidance and Culture 1998 One painting featured in the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art magazine Group exhibitions: More than 40 group exhibitions in Iran st Biennial Exhibition of Iranian Painting, Tehran nd Biennial Exhibition of Iranian Painting, Tehran rd Biennial Exhibition of Iranian Painting, Tehran th Biennial Exhibition of Iranian Painting, Tehran Received Best Artist Award at the 4 th Biennial Exhibition 1998 Nokia Singapore Art at Singapore Art Museum, Singapore 2000 Trompe l Œil Exhibition, Opera Gallery, Singapore 2003 William Falkner Show, Bryant Gallery, New Orleans 2009 Summer of Love, Opera Gallery, Singapore Something still alive Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 64 x 90 cm 25.2 x 35.4 in

10 It s not about you Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 120 x 115 cm 47.2 x 45.3 in. Holding on for dear life Acrylic on cotton and wood with goldleaf 90 x 133 cm 35.4 x 52.4 in

11 Relax, peace and fly Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 104 x 125 cm 40.9 x 49.2 in. Crossword #1 Acrylic on cotton and wood with goldleaf 123 x 107 cm 48.4 x 42.1 in

12 Have a mooncake Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 111 x 105 cm 43.7 x 41.3 in. Lace, light and glass boat Acrylic on cotton and wood with goldleaf 83 x 103 cm 32.7 x 40.5 in

13 A quiet celebration with Gustav Klimt Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 107 x 125 cm 42.1 x 49.2 in. Newspaper and orchids Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 120 x 102 cm 47.2 x 40.2 in

14 Floating objects Acrylic on linen and wood with goldleaf 110 x 115 cm 43.3 x 45.3 in

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