Maghsoud Keshavarz, an innovative artist, has a poetic and pleasant speech and endless affection for the culture of Iran and the ancestral footprints of this land. Our short conversation with him had signs of that deep attachment.
His innovation and artistic creation lie in the fact that he creates a work of art from the scraps that we carelessly ignore, and display s them for others to know that even wastes can be given an artistic touch and thus make life more pleasant.
To get to know your work better, first tell us about yourself, your handwork and materials you use in your work.
Let me start with the name of the creator of never-endling life and of the art of existence. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to have an interview with Amordad and Persian-speaking scholars and intellectuals who love and nurture art. My name is Maghsoud Keshavarz, and my hometown is Takab Afshar, from the sacred land of Azargoshasb Fire Temple. I am a student of Dr. Ali Ezzati, one of the country’s artists. Let me say this much about my hand-made works: all of them are made from simple and readily available materials that we see around us and may pass unnoticed!
What motivates you to create such art?
Let me say that all of existence and the universe is in the form of art. Even our life is of pure light, and not dirt! We, humans, are the symbol and embodiment of love and art. From this point of view, there is no such thing in the universe as waste. In other words, the energy and vibration of everything are constant and stable. So, based on the law of survival and protection and not polluting the ecosystem, I do this work and art; and also to blow light on the lifeless body of the same wastes in an artistic form. I do this with love and compassion for the universe, the same love that created creation and it is our guide to achieving happiness and clarity, wisdom, and awareness. I am a child and lover of this soil: the land and civilization of Iran!
Historical symbols can be seen in some of your works; what historical-cultural characters have you dealt with so far, and what signs would you like to deal with in the future?
When I think about the greatness and manifestation of Iranian culture, art, and history, I see an indescribable feeling in every Iranian artistic image. It is as if there is an image and a sign of Cyrus, Dariush, Ferdowsi, Hafez, Mowlana, Eb Sina, and others in every artistic work. This is the identity and birth certificate of our ancestors and our roots and descent; it is our guide to reaching happiness and clarity. We should know that our cultural heritage is a message and a promise of reconciliation, friendship, and truth for the world. How pleasant it is to turn these hidden historical treasures into a framework of art, present them to the world, and in this trade, invite nations and people to the art of good thoughts, words and deeds. It is my hope that the day will come when, in a state of peace, comfort and humanity we can achieve wisdom and awareness.
Tell us about your latest creations.
I have just built a replica of the tombs of two noble leaders of ancient times. I try to make my true goal pure and sacred, from the fruits of the stout tree of the thoughts of the greet men of our cultural Iran; the same thoughts that came down to us in the form of justice, humanity, compassion, courage, fearlessness and forgiveness! I designed and built the tombs of the leaders with this view and perception and with my self-taught knowledge and offered them to my cultural land.
What message do your works have for your audience?
My message to Persian-speaking thinkers and intellectuals in all parts of the world is that: I am Maghsoud Keshavarz from the city of Takab, Afshar, neighbor and beneficiary of the universal energy of Azargoshasb Fire temple. Some time back, from the waste items, I made a replica of Azargoshasb fire temple, to once again revive this lost world paradise. To reveal the loss of the world once again. We know that the Azargoshsab fire temple is one of the sixteen energy pits in the world, and the 19th of October every year is named the golden day of this place. On this day, the cosmic energies are effective in this sacred place. Next to this phenomenon a natural mountain rests plus the moving island of Chamli, which is one of the rarest wonders in this world. This sacred spot has come to us from ancient times, as an identity and symbol of our ancestors.
