"Social responsibility means we do not wait for the government and the public sector to help us. We do our work ourselves, that is, to learn to stand on our own two feet. Look at the number of galleries and theaters established recently, this mean we can do things ourselves," Kianian said at the ceremony.
"One of the companies that stepped in to carry on social activities is Debenhams, which has begun to support Iranian costume designers and help introduce them to the world. The company has also begun to reproduce domestically-produced Iranian appliances in new designs," he added.
"The company also offered to support my exhibit, but I proposed that they buy artworks instead; this means social responsibility," he remarked, adding that Debenhams has officially joined the supporters of Iran's visual art.
In his brief words Art Center Founder Vahid Malek also called it a good movement for famous companies and brands to support art. "But when a company buys artworks to support an exhibition it helps promote art and this is a new movement," he said.
The actor's collection titled "Captivated by The Infinite Blue" is composed of 24 photos, 12 of which feature photos of the galaxy and the other 12 objects left on the Anzali Marsh.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of officials, fans and art lovers including Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, photographer Fakhreddin Fakhreddini and painter Gholamhossein Nami.
Kianian is among the supporters of the campaign launched by a number of environmental activists to save and restore Lake Urmia from environmental ruin.
The exhibit will be running until February 13 at the gallery located at North Salimi St., Andarzgu Blvd. in the Farmanieh neighborhood.
Source: Tehran Times