Bazaar

Bazaars are often recognized for their vibrant shops, bustling crowds, and constant movement. In 2011, Behshad began exploring the architectural and socio-economic identity of these dynamic spaces. This inquiry led to a series of analogue photographs taken in Tehran's Grand Bazaar during the religious holiday of Ashura—the only two days each year when bazaars across Iran close entirely. This marked the inception of an ongoing photographic series that has spanned over eight years.

During this period, he traveled to various cities throughout Iran, documenting both the closed bazaars and the Ashura ceremonies. The resulting body of work serves as a visual archive of cultural and architectural significance—one that has become increasingly historical due to the government’s neglect in preserving the authenticity of these heritage sites. Many of the traditional structures have been compromised by disjointed and unsympathetic renovations, making this archive not only a record but a tribute to a vanishing legacy.