Golpayegani, Type and Typography
by Majid Abbasi

In spite of all his activities, Behzad Golpayegani, is unknown to the contemporary generation of Iranian graphics. He born in 1938 in Tehran and after completing his elementary school continued his studies in Tehran's College of Fine Art till 1960. He then entered Paris' Faculty of Decorative Arts and studied for three years there. In his return to Iran, he started his work with Peyk and Talaash magazines and Ketabhaye Jeebi Publishing Company. In 1981 he paralyzed by a brain stroke and deceased in Tehran in 1985.

Part of his works presented in different exhibitions such as the ones in Iran-France Cultural Association in 1972. His graphic art works can be divided into two distinct phases, the first phase was a collection of pieces under the influence of "Up-Art" comprised of regular and geometric forms with warm and attractive colors, and in the second phase, which was his maturity stage, he was inclined to white painting with a collection of letter paintings comprised of letter H, which is the first letter of "all" and "none" in Persian. His explanation was:
"These Hs are the Hs of hasty (being), in fact H is hamecheez (everything), H is a piece if heech (nothing), H means part of hasty, H means gasping a breath, it can't be written, but must be shown like breathing. We are the Hs who exist, live a life and breath, Hs of breathing. Breathing, the breath of life, and life is important."

In 1970's, the Ketabhaye Jeebi Company and Franklin Publishing House issued a series of pocket books with very attractive cover designs. The designs were comprised of integrated, harmonious and vivid typographic schemes, using typed letters or their reprints. By using single paint printing on textured craft papers and combination of letters, Golpayegani came close to the meaning and the contents of the books published. The best samples of this series, one can mention the cover of "Rostam and Esfandiar", "Human Zoo", "Man making himself", and "The meaning of Art". Although none of the designs was signed, but his integrity and method caused them distinct from other works done on that era.

In pursuit of introducing Iran graphic designers who were distinguished in typography, the 5th Color has the intention to hold side-line exhibitions for introducing their works. Behzad Golpayegani is the celebrated designer of this exhibition for his unique artworks in 1970's and the trend of his artistic creations.




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