Roman Head Flasks at the Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran

A new research article by Dr. Arezoo Khanpour, focusing on Roman human head glass flasks, has been published on our website. The study explores six rare examples from the 1st century AD housed in Tehran’s Glassware and Ceramic Museum, analyzing their mold-blown techniques and aesthetic features. Drawing links with ancient pottery and metalwork, the article highlights the innovation of Roman glassmakers. This publication offers valuable insight into ancient glass art and invites researchers and enthusiasts to discover a lesser-known yet fascinating aspect of Roman artistic heritage.

From Bonsai to the Socotra Dragon Tree

By Guest Contributor: Dr. Amir Beshkani, National Museum of Natural History, Paris

This thought-provoking article explores the philosophical symbolism behind bonsai trees, connecting them to Heidegger’s concept of “Dasein” and the externalization of being. The author contrasts the forced restraint seen in bonsai with the natural beauty of the Socotra Dragon Tree, which he relates to Roland Barthes’ idea of “zero-degree writing” — an unadorned expression of nature’s true form. Ultimately, the piece invites reflection on human interaction with nature and the pursuit of balance between control and natural growth.

Shelter

The Shelter project is an open project. Currently, it consists of six lightboxes measuring 25 x 25 cm, 26 photographs of various sizes, one video projection, and one audio-visual performance. Works from the Shelter series have been exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in Poland, Germany, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Iran.

The Art of Trees

In this article, Stephanie Johnson shares how she connects with trees and explains the techniques she uses in her photography. This article was published in the first issue of Artistam magazine.