About

Hossein Tavazoni-Zadeh is a theatre director and researcher. His works mainly revolve around the sense and memory of place in cinema, architecture, and theatre, and the social issues tied to the image of the past.

Tavazoni-Zadeh established Kariz Performing Arts Group in 2012, directing a diverse range of site-specific, site-based, and stage performances, as well as short films. More recently, his focus has been on documentary theatre and online performances. His projects have been recognized with multiple awards at both national and international festivals. Notably, he received three consecutive accolades at the International Fadjr Theatre Festival: Best Play for "The Butterfly" (2017) and "Aras" (2019), and Best Performance for "Narges" (2018). 

In addition to directing, Tavazonizadeh has played various roles within the realm of theatre. He has served as a jury member, selection panellist, and director at major theatre festivals in Iran. He has also taught and conducted workshops at institutes and theatre schools in Iran, the Netherlands, and France. Additionally, he has collaborated as a writer, dramaturge, and stage designer with various companies and groups, contributing to diverse theatre and film productions. 

As a PhD candidate at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, his doctoral research investigates the role of media and fiction in shaping the memory of and investing emotions in Iranian early modern and vernacular architecture.  He holds a master’s degree in Film Studies from Sooreh University, Iran. In his thesis, he explored Iranian site-specific theatre, concerning the use, and effects, of filmic ways of expression in representing architecture. 

Resume 

Kariz Performing Arts Group


Kariz Performing Arts group was established in 2012. Distancing itself from the conventional theatre in Tehran, the group’s productions span a variety of hybrid forms of theatre, including stage, site-specific, documentary, and online works. Memory and the social challenges related to the past are central to a significant portion of Kariz Arts Group's projects. While the group explores various themes, it often delves into different expressions of memory and the complex societal issues that arise from conflicts or nostalgia associated with the past. Additionally, the group has explored similar themes and topics through short films and documentaries. 

One key concept shared among some Eastern schools of thought is the significance of delving into the inner world to uncover the outer world. Rooted in the literal meaning of the word, in Persian literature the word kariz is often employed to recall this notion: kariz refers to the underground network of wells and channels which are used to transport underground water to the surface. The importance of kariz (also known as qanat) can be fully understood by appreciating the importance and difficulty of accessing water in Iran and the neighbouring regions.