Alfonso Zegbe, Mexican Ambassador to Iran, had a meeting with the officials of the Faculty of World Studies on Sunday, April 16, 2017. Dr. Ameli, Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Arab Ahmadi, Advisor of International Affairs, and Dr. Maryam Haghrusta, Founder and Director of Latin American Studies at the Faculty, attended the meeting. The two sides discussed about the methods to improve their cooperation and asserted the need to establish scientific and international cooperation among the FWS and Mexican universities.
Gildo Medina, the acclaimed Mexican artist and university professor also talked to the students of Latin American Studies about his artistic style. He opened his speech with a poem from Hafez and then talked about his various exhibitions in Italy, France, Japan, and other countries. He believes that art’s mission in the contemporary world is to identify the observable human codes in societies. Therefore, he uses pencil and mirror to comprehensively project human ideals. He does not believe the contemporary Mexican identity and culture should present what it used to do in ancient civilizations, rather, art’s mission is to represent the similarities and differences in Mexican or Iranian culture. He argued that all the details in art works must be attended most carefully.
He talked about some of his best-known works and also showed some short films of his exhibitions around the world. He said that metaphors and codes that are used in artistic works represent a sort of visual poetry. Therefore, many believe that Mexican art is close to surrealism.
This university professor stated that an artist must be in contact with different cultures so that he can create a creative and dynamic art work based on everyday culture. He talked about his visits to Shiraz and Yazd and how he had made contact with Iranian citizens through painting. Medina explained that human capabilities through assistance from water paint, and paper can connect minds and hearts from different cultures and unveil their similarities and differences.
He mentioned the epic role of mirror in Mexican culture and pointed out the similarities between Iranian and Mexican cultures by talking about mirror ornaments in Iranian mosques. He concluded his speech by talking about the role of art as a language for communication.
In the end, students asked Gildo Medina questions about his artistic style and the effects of globalization on Mexican painting and gave him a gift on behalf of the Faculty of World Studies. The Mexican Ambassador concluded the meeting by speaking about the background of Iran-Mexico cultural relations and asked the students to further study the Mexican art and culture.
