CV
Education
2022, PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration in Continental Philosophy & Visual Art), University of British Columbia
2012, MFA in Visual Arts, University of British Columbia,
2007, BFA in Photography, Art and Architecture Faculty, Azad University of Central Tehran
Research
My Interdisciplinary research operates at the intersection of visual Art and philosophy. In particular, my research focuses on the dialectical relationships between critical theory, aesthetics, and politics of Subjectivization. As the outcome of this ongoing research, I can address the achievement of my PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (Continental Philosophy and Aesthetics), developing the philosophical concept of Thought-Activism and the Visitor, and also the fulfillment of my Master of Fine Arts thesis: Politics of Subjectivization, focusing on the relationships between the concept of Event developed by Alain Badiou, and the formation of a new type of art capable of engendering new modes of politics and subjects (Situational subject) that co-identify each other.
My visual art practice spans from site-specific ephemeral installations to sculpture, photo and video based works. Consisting of representational images, composite objects and text projections that propose certain ways of approaching particular conceptual dualities, my work is constituted through addressing the problems of “presentation” and “representation”, “monsteration” and “demonstration”, and, finally, the relationship between aesthetics and contingent forms of abstractions that are not necessarily reducible to the conventional artistic determination, within politically charged situations.
My field of specialization in philosophy ranges from French critical theory, ontological analysis of language, and philosophy of existentialism, with expertise in philosophies of Martin Heidegger and Alain Badiou. My philosophical activities also involve both writing and translating literatures (into Farsi), mostly in continental philosophy, aesthetics and politics.
In addition to my interdisciplinary scholarly practice, I have been extensively involved in teaching courses and holding workshops both in Visual Arts and Philosophy, in Canada (University of British Columbia), and in Iran (Azad University of Tehran, and in a diverse art venues). During my graduate studies at UBC, and aside from the expansive range of grad courses I undertook, I also had the chance of taking the grad seminar “EDST 532” (Educational Leadership) focusing training professional teachers. I graduated from the course with an A+.
Selected Recent Awards and Recognitions
2022, “Visual Arts Project Assistant Grant”, British Columbia Arts Council, Canada (BCAC)
2021, “Concept to Realization”, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada
2019, Arts Abroad, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada
2019, “Faculty of Graduate Studies Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
2018, “Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP) Research Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
2017, “Ibn Battuta Award for Field Research, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, UBC, Dr. Firoz Verjee, Vancouver.
2016, “Faculty of Graduate Studies Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2015, “Artist in residence at Ferndale Writer & Artist Residency”, FWAR, Ferndale Washington
2015, “Faculty of Graduate Studies Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2014, “Faculty of Graduate Studies Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2014, Art and Science Award, Concordia University, Montreal Quebec
2013, Canada Council International Artist Residency, La Cité Internationale, des Arts in Paris, year of 2014 (Nominated)
2012, AMS Gallery’s Annual Artist Residency, Vancouver British Columbia
2011, “Elsie and Audrey Jang Scholarship in Cultural Diversity”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2011, “Faculty of Arts Graduate Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2010, “Faculty of Arts Graduate Award”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2010, “Roloff Beny Foundation Scholarship”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
2009, “Art Directory of Middle East - Photography Prize”, Art East, Dubai UAE
2007, “The 4th Iranian Festival of Marine Photos”, Public Relations & International Affairs of Ports & Shipping Organization, Tehran Iran
2006, “The 2nd Annual Golestan Award”, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran Iran
Exhibitions and Artistic Practices
Solo Exhibition
2023, “Alibaba Conundrum”, Griffin Art Projects, North Vancouver, Canada
* Alibaba Conundrum is both the title of the project, as well as, the name of an artistic collective composed of Ali Ahadi and Babk Golkar.
2021 (June-July), Artists In residence, “Alibaba Conundrum”, Griffin Art Projects, North Vancouver, Canada
*Alibaba Conundrum is an artistic collective composed of Ali Ahadi and Babk Golkar.
2018-2019, “گُه بله آکادمی”, “Goh Ballet Academy (Shit Yes Academy)”, Ag Galerie, Tehran Iran
2016, “This, too, is not [ ].”, Lajevardi Foundation & The New Media Society, Tehran Iran (Video Screening, Art Talk)
2012, “Warning Use By Other Than Registered Owner Prohibited By Law”, AMS Art Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2012, “Here There Nowhere, Flaccid Means Without End”, Grunt Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2007, “Off the Record”, Azad Art Gallery, Tehran Iran
Selected Group Exhibitions and Biennial
2024, “Flatttpack #0”, A Three Person Exhibition Featuring Works by: Ali Ahadi, Anahita Razmi, and Peyman Shafieezadeh, Vatttan Project, London UK
2023, “Voci E Immagini Dall’ Iran: Una Nuova Rivoluzione”, Milan Image Art Fair (MIA), March 23 – 26, 2023, Milan Italy
2021, “God in Reverse: When Wisdom Defies Capture” (Physical Exhibition), Richmond Art Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia (Physical Exhibition, Upcoming)
2020, The 8th Tehran Sculpture Biennial (Invitational), Roudaki Hall, Tehran Iran
2020, “God in Reverse: When Wisdom Defies Capture” (Curated Video Screening - Online), https://www.godinreverse.com/video/set/, Richmond Art Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2019, “The Wet”, Audain Art Centre, Vancouver British Columbia
2015, “Intervals, FWAR”, Ferndale Washington
2013, “Ten Thousand Suns, Satellite Gallery”, Vancouver British Columbia
2013, “Encyclonospace Iranica”, Access Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2013, “MONOMANIA”, Trench Contemporary Art gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2013, “Hold Them Up in Good Light”, Access Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2013, “Warning Use by Other than Registered Owner Prohibited by Law”, “dadabasenyc.com: Permanent Web-based Visual Arts exhibition”
2012, “Hail to the destroyers”, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2011, “Where Nothing is in its Place Lies Disorder”, Koerner Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2011, “Picturing Intuition”, AMS Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2008, “Fanoosphoto”, Permanent Web-based Visual Art Exhibition, Tehran Iran
2007, “Art Directory of the Middle East”, web-based Visual Art Exhibition, Dubai UAE
2007, “The 4th Iranian Festival of Marine Photos”, Public Relations Gallery, Tehran Iran
2007, “The 2nd Fanoos Film & Slideshow Festival”: The short film named The Encyclopedia Of Shabdolazimica was appreciated in Creative Works section, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran Iran
2006, “Image of the Year”, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran Iran
2006, “The 2nd Annual Golestan Photography Festival”, Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran Iran
Publication
Selected Essays, Catalogues and Journals
2023, (Foreword and Translation to Farsi)
Polemics, Alain Badiou (Verso, trans. Steve Corcoran, 2006), Chapters 1& 10, Foreword and Translation into Farsi by Ali Ahadi, Published in Critique of Political Economy Journal, 2023 –– (Essay)
https://pecritique.com/2023/12/18/کاربردهای-کلمهی-یهودی-اَلَن-بَد/
2023, (Foreword and Translation to Farsi)
“What is it to be ‘from the left’”, Gilles Deleuze, Foreword and Translation into Farsi by Ali Ahadi, published in Radio Zamaneh Journal, 2023 –– (Essay)
https://www.radiozamaneh.com/788308/
(From Gilles Deleuze’s “From A to Z”, L'Abécédaire de Gilles Deleuze, avec Claire Parnet, Gilles Deleuze's ABC Primer, with Claire Parnet, Directed by Pierre-André Boutang (1996), Semiotext(e), 2011)
2022, (Re-published) “Pandemic: Time for a Transversal Political Imagination”, Ali Ahadi, &&& (Nov. 13, 2022), The New Centre for Research & Practice
2022, “Thought-Activism and the Poiesis of that which Is Not”, Ali Ahadi, PhD Dissertation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2021, “Art: Sensory Alibi or Discursive Argumentation?, Ali Ahadi in Interview with Babak Golkar, QOQQOON Journal, Issue #6, October, 2021
2021, (Due out), “Art, Discourse, and The Visitor”, Ali Ahadi in Interview with Babak Golkar”, Temporary Journal, Pansion Publication Projects, Tehran, Iran
2020, Ali Ahadi, “Signal Chain and the Break in its Chain of Signification”, Essay on Steven Cottingham’s Solo Exhibition Signal Chain at the Alternator Gallery, Alternator Gallery, Kelowna Canada (Essay)
2020, Ali Ahadi, “Pandemic: Time for Transversal Political Imagination”, Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge Magazine (SDUK), Issue 07, Tilting (2), Blackwood Gallery, Toronto Canada – (Essay)
2019-20, Ali Ahadi, “Visitor and Paralogism”, Exhibition Essay on Ali Ahadi’s Solo Exhibition, Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Ag Galerie Press, Tehran Iran
2017, Ali Ahadi, “Metaphoric Approach to a Metonymic Displacement”, A critique of Bahar Samadi’s Exhibition, “Displacement”, Photography Magazine, Tehran Iran – (Essay)
2014, Ali Ahadi, “Membering and Remembering: Collectivity and the Question of Meaning”, Babak Golkar’s Exhibition ‘Dialectic of Failure’, West Vancouver Museum Publication, Vancouver British Columbia – (Essay for the Exhibition Book)
2014, Ali Ahadi, “Three Metamorphosis of Spirit in Reverse: On Control and Semantic Institutions”, Essay written for Payam Mofidi’s Exhibition ‘Cohesive Disorder’, Asar Art Gallery Publication, Tehran Iran – (Essay for the Exhibition Book)
2011, Ali Ahadi, “Talk”, Iranian Journal of Visual Arts, Self Portrait Special Issue, Issue.3, Tehran
2011, Ali Ahadi, “VASA Newsletter”, AHVA Press, Issue. 2, p. 12-14, Vancouver British Columbia- (Interview)
Books, Anthologies, and Catalogues
2024 (Due out), Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Exhibition Book with a Collection of Essays by Gareth James, Mohammad Salemy, Matt Browning and Ali Ahadi, Ag Galerie Press, Tehran (Iran)
2024, Rethinking the Contemporary Art of Iran, Edited by Hamid Keshmirshekan, Artist: Ali Ahadi, “Societal and Cultural Resonance”, p.92-93, Skira editore, Italy (2024) –– (Book/Anthology)
2019, “Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy)”, Ali Ahadi, Teer Art Week 2019 Book, Tehran Iran (Book Anthologies)
2007, “The 4th Iranian Festival of Marine Photos”, Exhibition Book: Two photographs and an exhibition essay published, Ports & Maritime, p. 73-74, Tehran – (Book Anthologies)
2006, “The 2nd Annual Golestan Award”, Exhibition Book: One photograph and an exhibition essay published, Silver Sculpture, p. 14-15, Tehran – (Book Anthologies)
Critical Reviews and Essays on my Works
2024, “Alibaba Conundrum at Griffin Art Projects”, (Review of Alibaba Conundrum Exhibition at the Griffin Art Projects), Ido Radon, Peripheral Review Journal, February 2024.
2023, “Let’s Get Messed Up: The shock of sex, power and subversions of what we hold dear crackle and pop in a provocative new art show”
(Review of Alibaba Conundrum Exhibition at the Griffin Art Projects), Dorothy Woodend, The Tyee, March 10, 2023.
2023, “L’hégémonie de la langue anglaise à la loupe du duo Alibaba Conundrum”, Amélie Lebrun, La Source, Vol 23, No 16 – 7 au 21 mars 2023
2023, “Alibaba Conundrum: New exhibition turns critical eye on global dominance of English language and Christianity”, Nick Laba, North Shore News, Febuary 9, 2023
2021, by Leigh Tennant, “A nutter essay (peership)”, QOQQOON Journal, Vancouver, Canada
2020, by Gareth James, “Here’s Shit in Your Eye”, Essay on Ali Ahadi’s Solo Exhibition, Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Ag Galerie Press, Tehran Iran
2020, by Matt Browning, “Taking a Signifier, Making a Signifier”, Essay on Ali Ahadi’s Solo Exhibition, Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Ag Galerie Press, Tehran Iran
2020, by Mohammad Salemy (Alphabet Collection), “Maquillage & Semiopticon: An Epistemological Study of Lace & Mirrors”, Essay on Ali Ahadi’s Solo Exhibition, Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Ag Galerie Press, Tehran Iran
2018-2019, by Sara Sasanee, “The Arrival of Excrement”, Review of Ali Ahadi’s Solo Exhibition, Shit Yes Academy (Goh Ballet Academy), Iranart Online, Iranart.ir
2013, by Kevin Griffin, “Encyclonospace Iranica: Say Goodbye to the White Cube”, The Vancouver Sun, http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/09/29/encyclonospace-iranica-say-goodbye-to-the-white-cube/
2012, by Cayley Malo, “Ali Ahadi, Here There Nowhere, Flaccid Means Without End”, Decoy Magazine, Vancouver British Columbia, http://decoymagazine.ca/here-there-nowhere-flaccid-means-without-end-2/
2012, by Mohammad Salemy, “Language and the Eventuality of the Avant-garde”, Hail to the Destroyers, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, p. 3-5
2012, by Mohammad Salemy, “Cyclical Rejection & Viral Transformation A literal reading of Ali Ahadi’s recent work Warning Use by Other than Registered owner Prohibited by Law”, http://dadabasenyc.com/projects/warning-use-by-other-than-registered-owner-prohibited-by-law/
2012, by Ahmad Tabrizi, “On Here There Nowhere, Flaccid Means Without End”, Grunt Gallery Journal, Vancouver
Selected Jurying, Conferences, Curatorial, Scholarly, and other Public Practices
2024, Keynote Speaker (Paper Delivery) and Panel Discussion, ‘The Secular Visitor: A Discourse on the Contradictions of Space and Art with Life, “Thought-Activism” and the Work of Art”: A Lecture by Ali Ahdi’, Sarasar Institute, Tehran, Iran.
2023, Panel Discussion, (Paper Delivered), “I think therefore I am, said Descartes. ‘I think I am, anyway’, Replied the monster, ‘what do you think of my being?’”, Ali Ahadi, Alibaba Conundrum Artist Talk & Panel Discussion, Griffin Art Projects, April 2023
2021, Nominator, The Annual Philip B. Lind Emerging Artist Prize, The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver, Canada
2021, Keynote Responder & Panel Participant, “Object-Oriented Ontology and its Aesthetics: An Introduction with Graham Harman”.
Invited to take part in a panel discussion as a responder to the keynote speaker, the philosopher Graham Harman, Pejman Foundation, Tehran, Iran (Online).
Keynote Speaker: Graham Harman.
Responders: Ali Ahadi, Niki Young, Jon Cogburn, and Arman Farahmand.
2021, Artist Talk: “History of Instibotomy”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2021, Peer Assessor, for Visual Arts Assistance Grants, BCAC (British Columbia Arts Council).
2020, Research Consultant for Dr. Azadeh Yamini-Hamedani, Associate Professor in the department of World Languages and Literature, Simon Fraser University.
2020, Panelist: “The Notion of ‘Normal’ in the Light of Covid-19 Pandemic”, Panel Discussion, with Jean Swanson (Vancouver City Councellor) and Rozhin Emadi (Activist), Vancouver, Canada (Online)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_1WoPVQyPI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2_fVINYXFy-WQj0x642omHnDRm8_J9XPVOBRcwNVnXQSBJsV1YR4PSCsM
2020, Panelist: “Re-reading Guy Debord’s Psychogeographical Tactic in the Age of ‘Integrated Spectacle’”, Panel Discussion, Bidar Institute of Art and Literature, Tehran, Iran (Online)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUp0BQH7ayg&t=1205s&fbclid=IwAR02vHt9japTbel3sbyLOtBx7A6WDosGHC7-s8ZrS-uQOEhdrWZ-XDuEkAA
2020, Artist Talk: “Seeing is Nothing Other than Saying”, Artist Talk, Bidar Institute of Art and Literature, Tehran, Iran (Online) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC8CquHvM2o&t=148s&fbclid=IwAR3EI2T98zes2_4hKV4YOpytvAHJHgha7UTQz3EImrZ8lStxrKNV0V5bMwI
2020, Jury: The Humanities and Social Science Conference 2020, The Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), Culture and Media, University of British Columbia, (Invited to be a part of the judge panel).
2018-2019, Panelist: Panel Discussion and Critique Session on “Goh Ballet Academy (Shit Yes Academy)” Exhibition by Ali Ahadi, with Attendance of Homayoun Sirizi, Dr. Navid Naderi, Milad Rostami and Ali Ahadi, Organized and Invited by Kaarnamaa Art Magazine, Tehran, Iran
2017-2018, Board Member: Member of the Board of Directors at Vancouver’s Grunt Gallery.
2016, Artist Talk: “This, too, is not [ ].”, The Lajevardi Art Foundation, Tehran, Iran
2016, Artist Talk: “Also not a pipe, Ali Ahadi.”, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2015, Artist Talk: “What’s the good of this?”, Artist Talk, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
2014, Conference (As responder to Keynote Speakers): “Incredible Machines: Digitality and the Modern System of Knowledge at the Threshold of the 21st Century”, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, Vancouver British Columbia
(Contributed a paper as responder to keynote Speakers, Reza Negarestani, Daniel Sacilotto)
http://incrediblemachines.info/respondents/ahadi/
2013, Curatorial Commitee: “Member of the curatorial and the exhibition selection committee”, Grunt Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia
2011, Symposium: “No Rules: Negotiating Art and Deregulation”, Art & Education Symposium, Cooper Union, New York USA
Teaching Experiences
As Lecturer
2022-Present, “Instructor”, VISA 241, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I – Entire Semester)
Course description: Introduction to digital photography image creation in relation to contemporary art. Emphasis on digital camera use, file management, and digital print production. (Specific topic: examination of contemporary Image theory, and the relation between Technology and Freedom)
2019-Present, “Instructor”, VISA 210, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I – Entire Semester)
Course description: Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. (Specific topic: reflecting Surrealism and Situationist Internationals into digital art)
2018, “Instructor”, VISA 183, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II – Entire Semester)
Course descriptions: Introduction to contemporary art practices and approaches, emphasizing the relationship of content to media. (Specific topic: Materials and Meanings)
2016, “Instructor”, VISA 210, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II – one session)
Course description: Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. (Specific topic: examination of contemporary Image theory, and the relation between Technology and Freedom)
2013, “Instructor”, Intermediate Studio II, Azad University of Tehran (3 Credits, Summer Term II)
Course description: Object as process, Examining the possible relations between object oriented art practices and philosophy, and process art.
2013, “Instructor”, Contemporary Photography, Azad University of Tehran (3 Credits, Summer Term I)
Course description: Study of current art practices related to or inspired by contemporary digital culture and image production.
2013, “Instructor”, VISA 210, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II – one session)
Course description: Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. (Specific topic: reflecting Surrealism and Situationist Internationals into digital art)
2011, “Instructor”, VISA 340, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I – one session)
Course descriptions: An investigation of approaches to photography and its meaning in the context of contemporary art.
As Teaching Assistant
2016, Teaching Assistant, VISA 183, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II)
Course descriptions: Introduction to contemporary art practices and approaches, emphasizing the relationship of content to media. (Specific topic: Materials and Meanings)
2015, Teaching Assistant, VISA 183, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II)
Course descriptions: Introduction to contemporary art practices and approaches, emphasizing the relationship of content to media. (Specific topic: Materials and Meanings)
2014, Teaching Assistant, VISA 183, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I)
Course descriptions: Introduction to contemporary art practices and approaches, emphasizing the relationship of content to media. (Specific topic: Materials and Meanings)
2013, Teaching Assistant, VISA 210, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II)
Course descriptions: Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. (Specific topic: what is an image? and Hyper-reality)
2012, Teaching Assistant, VISA 183, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I)
Course descriptions: Introduction to contemporary art practices and approaches, emphasizing the relationship of content to media. (Specific topic: Process Art)
2012, Teaching Assistant, VISA 210, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II)
Course descriptions: Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. (Specific topic: reflecting Surrealism and Situationist Internationals into digital art)
2011-2012, Teaching Assistant, VISA 110, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I)
2011, Teaching Assistant, VISA 110, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term II)
2010, Teaching Assistant, VISA 110, University of British Columbia (3 Credits, Term I)
Course descriptions: Foundation level instruction in basic computer skills, image manipulation and digital media -The nature and role of digital media in contemporary culture, with special emphasis on applications in visual art.
2006-2007, Teaching Assistant, Documentary Photography course 370, Art and Architecture Faculty, Azad University of Central Tehran (6 Credits, Term I)
Course description: An investigation of approaches to Documentary photography and its relation in the context of contemporary art
2005-2007, Teaching Assistant, History of Modern Art, Art and Architecture Faculty, Azad University of Central Tehran (3 Credits, Term II)