The new generation of Iranian graphic designers and the 5th Color
Bijan Sayfouri's speech in the opening of the 40+40 poster exhibition, castel of Trani, Italy, 2004
Graphic design in Iran has experienced different periods. Modern Iranian graphics was born during the 60s by the first generation of the designers with their eye to a background of several thousand years of Iranian visual arts.
During the 60s and 70s, Iranian graphic design took part in the global gatherings with active presence of Morteza Momayez and some others.
After the Iranian revolution in 1978, and the subsequent eight-year war, a period of stagnation began in Iranian contemporary graphics. In the late 80s, Iranian graphics started a new path with a novel climate of the digital world.
The new generation of Iranian graphic designers, being active chiefly after the war, like their counterparts throughout the world, have created prominent works among which typography plays a crucial role. This type of looking at the letters and designing, however, has a distinct Iranian atmosphere stemming from the features of the Iranian culture and letters of the alphabet as well as the ancient background of Persian calligraphy.
During this period, the new generation of the designers participated in the global graphic events among which are: the exhibitions of A Persian Cry being held in Echirolles and Chaumont, France, in 2002 and 2003; membership of two designers of this generation in AGI, both of whom are among the founders of the 5th Color; introducing the Iranian graphics and designers in the books and periodicals worldwide, active participation in the exhibitions and biennials throughout the world, and the influence of the works of this generation on today's Iranian graphics.
The 5th Color began its activities in 2001 when some designers of the new generation gathered together and started a new cooperation in which apart from attempting to establish a dynamic current in Iranian modern graphics, each preserved his own unique style. This kind of achievement could not be possible through an individual endeavor.
The 5th Color has conducted several exhibitions being welcomed by the Iranian and foreign designers. Some examples are: Bouf-e Kour, the first Iranian typography exhibition in 2002, and Self-Postrait in 2004.
The 5th Color is seeking for finding ways of establishing communication and presenting the viewpoints of the designers of the new generation to the world.
