Amir Soleymani: A Visionary in the Art World
A Conversation with Amir Soleymani
Mondoir Art Gallery, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, is a testament to Amir Soleymani’s visionary approach, showcasing a diverse array of artworks and nurturing a vibrant artistic community. As a hybrid space, Mondoir Art Gallery uniquely integrates both digital and traditional art, serving as a premier destination for art enthusiasts and professionals in Dubai.
A Journey in the Art World
I’ve been a collector for as long as I remember. One of the first things that sparked the love for collectibles in my life was my grandfather’s stamp collection. By the age of eight, I was going to the local post office and buying blocks of stamps or even single stamps. Sometimes I would steam off a stamp from the used envelopes. As I grew up, I started to collect artefacts: from coins to different notes. In university, I was collecting books. I would spend a lot of time in underground illegal book shops in Iran because books were one of those things that you couldn’t easily find.
Mondoir Gallery and Its Programming
Mondoir is very dynamic, we have new ideas almost every day. Archiving those ideas and prioritizing which ideas should be developed and which ideas should be kept for later is one of the hardest things for us. At this stage, we prioritize categorizing all these things we want to do and prioritize the things which would benefit a wider audience, our community, and the team of Mondoir. Currently, we are opening exhibitions at the gallery and hosting events. Our next move is really important for us because it signifies the next phase of growth of Mondoir.
The Role of Web3 Technology in the Art World
Directory.art is not necessarily a Web3 platform – it’s just a platform for art. I do understand that many artists are minting their works and are using Web3 technology. But there are plenty of other platforms which are providing a Web3 aspect for creation of assets on the blockchain. We don’t want to enter that sphere, because they’re doing a good job. What we wanted to do was to create a central platform for everything related to art in one place. One of my struggles as a collector was not only to find great art and artists, but also to find service providers, like framing and shipping. The whole concept of the directory.art is to combine everything together. You can create, you can display, and you can sell. But at the same time, we are not going to be a marketplace; we are a platform, working together with diverse partners.
The Significance of.ART Domain Extension
From my point of view, your presence in online space should be in line with whatever you do. For example, I remember when in the 90s and early 2000 having a.Com domain name was like having a property. Owning a.Com was meant for commercial companies, then you had.Net for networks,.Org for – organisations. All these different extensions started to come out, once ICANN decided to let other people use the extensions. The whole idea was that you should have a domain name that represents your business model or what you do. If you are an art gallery, an artist, or anyone who is involved in the art world, you would want to have a.ART domain name. A.ART domain extension is purely for anything that is related to art.
Advice for Emerging Art Collectors
I think the first rule of collecting is that you don’t collect in order to make money. One thing that people often forget is that we’re all collectors. If you look at your phone, you will see at least 1000 pictures. So technically, you collected memories. You cannot find a single human being on this planet who hasn’t collected anything. Collecting is a part of our DNA. It is just a matter of becoming aware and collecting more consciously, curating your collection. Collecting is a passion. Whatever the reason for collecting is, it should be done without expectations of any monetary value.
Conclusion
Amir Soleymani’s journey in the art world is a testament to his passion and dedication to the art world. His vision for Mondoir Art Gallery and directory.art is to create a platform that brings together artists, collectors, and service providers in one place. With his expertise in collecting and his forward-thinking approach to art and technology, Amir Soleymani is a true visionary in the art world.
FAQs
Q: What inspired your decision to use the.ART domain extension?
A: From my point of view, your presence in online space should be in line with whatever you do. A.ART domain extension is purely for anything that is related to art.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their journey in art collection?
A: I think the first rule of collecting is that you don’t collect in order to make money. Collecting is a passion. Whatever the reason for collecting is, it should be done without expectations of any monetary value.
Q: Can you elaborate on the role of Web3 technology in the art world?
A: Directory.art is not necessarily a Web3 platform – it’s just a platform for art. We don’t want to enter that sphere, because they’re doing a good job. What we wanted to do was to create a central platform for everything related to art in one place.
