This is my first official report as the “ Iranian affiliate=leader”  since 2003 ; during the past 5 yea=s of my cooperation with the valuable organization of CRN International , as a cartoonist and a caring human being sensitive to the human rights , from the=20 political and philosophical point of view, I have gained lots of  valuable experiences . I'm fully a=are of the fact that if this cooperation never existed, I wouldn't be having suc= insights .Beside the mentioned facts, communication with you and other frien=s whom relate to this matter from other parts of the world, have rewarded me w=th human loving and professional motivations; 1-To engage in precious human qualities no matter how hard, unbearable and exhausting the situations are. =- To introduce the culture and the art of my beloved country efficacious and t=e way it is: free of politics and full of friendship, peace and harmony. The v=ry same way our grandfathers have propagated them for 3000 years:  good thoughts good words and good d=eds.

Since the year 1997 and with taking over of a wing whom according t= the world standards are closer to reformists and the beginning of the presidency=of Mohammad Khatami, along side flourishing of cultural and artistic activities= the press activities and with that, the editorial cartoons became brisk .Var=ous newspapers and publications printed cartoons and illustrations almost in standard levels everyday. These happenings, in the beginning, brought those =ho were involved in such activities optimism and conveniences afterwards! There=was a wave of newspaper shut downs and detentions of journalists =nd some few cartoonists because of their attitude towards freedo= of speech.  Some were arrested.  This action led ot=ers towards self censuring phenomenon. This negative incident expanded so t=at before the taking of the office of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, publications of cart=ons in the standard form and based on the cartoonist’s beliefs and point=of views was put to an end.  In their place came neutral or "commanded" ima=es. (For instance criticism of egg’s high price or excessive cutting dow= trees or not following the traffic regulations!)

Artists who could have been the best editorial cartoonists of Iran, because of this dead end, pursued other activities: making of advertisi=g animations for the TV (food advertisements …….), children bo=k’s illustrations, graphic design and doing advertising and printing projects. Some of the famo=s artists emigrated and other than Nikahang Kowsar and Hadi Farahani, none of =hem could succeed in their new residing countries.

In such conditions, due to the type of my activities in the field o= cartoon which is the artistic and exhibiting aspect of it, I came across the=20 idea that due to the focus absence of the state on artistic galleries in Iran and Tehran in particul=r, I replaced it as a substitute project to the editorial cartoon. (The very same=20 idea that I engaged in with my interview with Hannah). Exhibiting the cartoo=, especially the original cartoons in galleries, other than appearing attracti=ns could transfer the cartoonist’s message freely to the addressee with=no middlemen. For the first step, I decided to hold personal exhibitions of non=_ Iranian artists whom are fully accepted by the state observation systems of Iran (who are active under the =ame of “Iranian House of Cartoon “ ). This project had several p=ivileges:   firstly, the presentation of =he very best artworks according to the world standards would lead to the advancement of the quality of the art of cartoon and the Iranian cartoon art=sts would get a better impression and be influenced by these artworks because th=re was no intermediary involved. Secondly the exclusivity of the cartoon proficiency which belongs to the state observation system would break. Along=20 side these privileges, obstacles existed: holding such galleries had great c=sts and there were no protectors and sponsors. This important matter would cause=the number of such exhibitions be so meager. But the first experience which was =he successful exhibitions of Vladimir Kazanovsky‘s artworks, I proved t=at along side such limitations this project can have its impressions. In the first exhibition of Vladimir which took place in the space of one of Tehran‽99s publication institutes (Saaless publications), 2 of his works and in ‽9CCoupe coffee gallery “two other works of him was purchased. This new happe=ing (purchase of the artwork by the visitor) somehow reduced my concerns for the=20 exhibition’s expenses.

Recently as the next step, I have exhibited Florien Doru Crihana=E2??s artworks at the art assembly of the city of Rasht. Rasht is my hometown and =s the pioneer in the organized activity in the cartoon field. Since the year 1=93 I have held exhibitions in that town. Since the year 1994 I have established=the very first cartoon organized group and the same group for the first time at =he year 1998 began their official activity as “Cartoonists society of t=e province of Gilan “(the first official cartoon society in Iran). In the Flori=n exhibition, this same artistic group and a friend of mine who is the CEO of =he Large Format publishing company in Tehran helped me a great deal.

I am working on another project now days: after my travel to Hungary and my speech in the Central European University, I have developed a close relationship with the Hungarian embassy in Tehran that has developed and grown till =his day. I have asked Joe Bekesi (one of the most important cartoonists of Hunga=y) to send me some of the best works of his country so that I hold an special exhibition for them in Tehran. Based on my co ordinations with the first secretary of the ambassador in Tehran, all of the exhibition’s costs=will be paid by the embassy and even the artists will travel to Iran. Fortunately no= I have received all of the artist biographies and their works and I’m =orking on the project and these exhibitions will be held in the coming winter.<=P>

My activities in this field have gained its characteristics and regulations, and I will follow them with the same goal that I mentioned at t=e beginning. I am asking you, as the CEO of CRNI to publish the news and observations I send you with the facilities you have. Because I had a role i= the formation of the organization’s official website, it is importan= for me to maintain its dynamics. For this reason, you can always count on my help and effort for the website’s operations and functions.

During the 17 years of my work as a graphic artist in Iran and the creation of several artworks in this field , the logo of CRN international ,definitely and  with no exaggeration , has been one of my best works ; for professional reasons and =he usage of the guild  practicabi=ity  of this profession , I am documenting my best graphic works . 

Thanks, 

Kianoosh Ramezani

Tehran, Iran 
September 2008

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