The artists were asked the following question:
How do you feel about your works of art being displayed on the Internet in Dideh Gallery before the world’s artists and critics for the first time? And what do you think are the attractions of Dideh Gallery as an international permanent gallery presenting the works of contemporary Iranian artists?

 Ms. Farideh Lashai:If this connection is implemented in the best possible way, I shall be most pleased. There would be no need for me to pack all my works and go through the burden of carrying them with me to Europe and America. This is a very effective way of showing work and will make things much easier for the artist. I wish the gallery success.

 Mr. Nima Petgar: For an artist the most important thing is to be active, by which I mean to project his or her emotions and desires through works of art. If these projections—-the art works—-do not find their audiences, no dialogue happens between artist and art lovers. Exhibitions provide the possibility of creating such dialogues, and if people around the world are the audience for such exhibitions, so much the better.
            One of the dreams of human beings has always been to look into a crystal ball. In fairy tales, where dreams are simple, the hero of the story would use the crystal ball to learn where his lover was and how she was, who his enemy was and where he was. But nowadays a crystal ball is expected to answer millions of men’s questions, and it seems that the Internet has made this dream come true! The picture of the world in the Internet is like a puzzle, and Iranian culture is a part of it. Without Dideh Gallery or other cultural websites, the picture would be imperfect and the puzzle incomplete.

 Mr. Koorosh Shishegaran: Acquiring a large audience is always encouraging for artists and their works, and today the miracle of technology of the Internet easily can accomplish such a big task. The artists of previous generations were not able even to dream of such vast relations with the international art public.
            This is a very good opportunity for contemporary Iranian painting; it is a window opened to the contemporary world. I hope Dideh Gallery will succeed in this very modern and magical path it has taken. Its success would be an achievement for Iranian painters.

 Mr. Nami Petgar: It is as if a small window has been opened to my studio and a selection of my works has been put on display for people all over the world. Dideh Gallery is a magic window for me, but I cannot see anything from inside this window and can only feel that I am being seen. Special humans all around the planet see me--that is, my works. Dideh has provided me with a unique opportunity. It is a miracle come true.

 Mr. Manouchehr Motabar: Basically, I have a very good feeling now that artists can show their work or process through this means to all those who appreciate art around the globe. Dideh is a gallery that puts artists’ works on display for all to see and hence brings fame to the artists. As one of those artists, I consider Dideh Gallery to be an important and influential instrument for showing artistic works to the peoples of the globe.

 Mr. Gholam Hossein Nami: The language of art is global, and through my own works and my own artistic language I wish to speak with the people of the world. Dideh Gallery has provided this interesting and valuable opportunity for me on the Internet. I hope that the gallery will achieve ever-increasing success in strengthening the ties between artists and people all over the globe.
            The Iranian culture, which is several millenniums old, has had an inevitable impact on the other cultures of the world. Iranian art and culture have always been viewed and used by different nations throughout the history of human civilization. The representation of Iran’s artistic and cultural values on the Internet can introduce Iranian culture and civilization directly to the people of today’s world. Dideh Gallery has taken an important and valuable measure in this regard. As an Iranian, I would like to express my appreciation toward the founders of the gallery.

 Mr. Mohamad Hossein Maher: Artists have their audience before them subconsciously when creating a work of art, and when the artist knows that his work will be seen by a larger audience, that knowledge will be reflected in the work itself. Dideh Gallery provides the opportunity for a work of art to develop in this way; naturally, creating such a broad horizon gives the artist great pride and jubilation.
            The meaning and attraction of the opportunity that Dideh Gallery has provided lie in its specifically enlarging the audience approaching a work of art from different perspectives. Furthermore, this creates an appropriate forum for promoting the culture and art of the Iranian civilization, a forum that would eliminate presuppositions and encourage a more profound look at Iranian art.

 Mr. Bahram Dabiri: I am very happy to participate in Dideh Gallery. Being on the Internet, which allows for a vast global audience, is a historical necessity. This is particularly true for contemporary Iranian painting, which has not been able to receive international attention in the last two decades.
            On the occasion of the inauguration of Dideh Gallery, I would like to congratulate all those who contributed to its launching and wish them success. I hope the gallery will lead to the ever-increasing promotion of contemporary Iranian painting among the different peoples of the world. I believe that some contemporary Iranian paintings deserve to be included among the world’s prominent works of art.

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