“AV” performs its play “Melpomene” in some old underground thermal baths in the center of Tehran. The AV theatre method is based on music, movement, dialogue and close relationship with the audience. “Gardzienice,” a Polish experimental theatre, inspires their theater.
Tehran is the seat where most of Iran’s artistic community resides and hopes to one day thrive, despite the tremendous censorship restrictions regarding who can perform and under which circumstances. Navigating these restrictions has become an art form itself, while social media sites (at least those that are allowed) are continuously monitored. Iran has very strict censorship rules regarding women’s appearance, and which topics are permitted to be discussed openly. Anything cultural or artistic that has the intention of being presented to the masses must first receive authorization and approval from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance before it can proceed into production. Plays, novels, videos, films and songs all are subject to scrutiny, and which ones are ultimately approved or dismissed is often decided by an arbitrary stroke of an official’s pen. Any plays that relate to politics or religion or refer to sexual issues are not allowed. Women vocalists are not permitted to sing solo in front of a male audience or make records, in part because of a long-standing idea that a woman’s voice will incite sexual excitement among men. Many artists have been forced to pursue their creative freedom by traveling underground (and in some cases quite literally), staging shows in tunnels, caves, homes or isolated fields where officials won’t see them, more so as an act of self-preservation rather than of rebellion. Iranian artists can navigate between the more mainstream and underground scenes as well. For example, it is possible for an artist to take part in an official performance while working on different underground/illegal projects.
Iran has seen faint promises of more civil freedoms since the arrival of newly elected president Hassan Rouhani, a moderate politician said to be in favor of promoting more arts. In January 2014, the band Pallett famously played to a live nationally televised audience, and in April of this year pop star Xaniar Khosravi performed on stage after having been previously rejected by the Ministry of Culture for having a Western sound, leading many to feel that change — albeit a slow drip — may be imminent.
Photographer Jeremy Suyker spent several months in the country following an underground culture of young dancers, painters, performing artists, musicians and vivacious creatives resilient in producing their passions outside the confines of censorship. In early 2013, while doing research on Iranian culture, Suyker received a tip from an Iranian friend in Paris that a dynamic art scene was unfolding in Tehran. He spent months with dozens of artists who welcomed him, not as an outsider to their secret society but as a fellow creative and storyteller reflecting the narrative of their intimate lives and struggles. The vision of what Iranian culture should appear to be on the surface — particularly among the younger generation — is turned on its head and rendered myopic through Suyker’s images.
All photos by Jeremy Suyker
“AV” theatre group performs in a cave outside Tehran. Artists need special permission from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to play in public. On this occasion, more than 200 people made the trip to see the show.
Actress from AV theater wear masks inspired by traditional fashion from Bandar Abbas, southern Iran.”
An actress is getting dressed for the rehearsal of Ali Raffi’s adaptation of “Yerma,” Federico Garcio Lorca’s play. Women in Iran must cover their hair and bodies.
“Nyia” is a semi-professional theater group. They rent out places in Tehran to practice or use private apartments. The group is composed of roughly 20 actors, between 20 and 30 years old.
Women attend a Parkour class in an underground gym. Parkour is getting popular among Iranian women, although they are being hassled by police when their practice outdoors.
Hip-hop culture is very popular in Iran, but it is considered subversive by the government. Over the years, it has become acceptable for men to practice break-dancing and hip-hop activities, while women still have to hide themselves.
Youngsters practice Parkour, an extreme urban sport that consists of jumping over fences and flipping off walls. Although Parkour is officially forbidden in Iran, local police somehow accept it. Paradoxically, Iranian Parkour teams have an official federation and they hold public tournaments.
“Nyia” theater group practices in the Mazandaran region, North of Tehran. They left the capital to find peace and freedom in the mountains. They rehearse and do team-building activities.
Tehran Carnival is a group of young plastician women artists. They meet on Fridays to make an ephemeral piece of art. After collecting random materials in the streets, they create a unique piece of art that they leave behind for people to see.
Musicians perform during an opening night at Shirin’s Gallery, a notorious art place in Velenjak, a posh neighborhood north of Tehran.
A group of young women and men play cards in a friend’s apartment on a Friday night. Bars and discotheques don’t exist in Iran, and the nightlife is very limited. Everything takes place in the private sphere.
Customers of Café Yalda (near Sepah Square) attend an evening pop concert. Iranian coffee shops are prized for their relaxed atmosphere and the intimacy they provide. (Jeremy Sukyer)
A singer records a song in a studio in the western part of Tehran. For more than 30 years, female singers in Iran have not been able to sing solo or perform to a mixed audience, nor could they release albums. Thanks to the Internet, solo singers are now able to broadcast their music via social networks such as Facebook and YouTube.
Guests in a house party play games while listening to music and sharing a few drinks.
Flüchtlingshilfe Iran e.V. 2010 