In terms of world-class innovation in the Middle East, most people probably think of Dubai before they’d think of Iran. However, Iran has produced and fostered incredibly talented individuals that shake up tradition, just as Dubai has done with its freewheeling, ultra-luxury architecture.
As with any culture, Iran’s counterculture is a force to contend with. Ashkan Sahihi’s ‘Kiss Kiss’ photography project, in which he is photographed kissing men and women with an open mouth, is certainly not something conservative Iranians would approve of. And in Tehran, fashion-savvy men sporting Western rocker hair must contend with the Basij religious police for their extreme hairstyles. All the while, however, there is change. Its most impressive form lies in architecture like Azadi (Shahyad) Square in Tehran or Kish Island, dubbed the "Dubai of Iran."
Dubai is the world’s heavyweight champion when it comes to luxurious excesses. Some Dubai architects are so frustrated with the limitations of the naturally-created landscape that they seek to build their own. The Universe and Isla Moda are two such examples of ultra-exclusive manmade islands. It will be awhile before Iran reaches this height of opulent splendor--and perhaps that’s part of Iran’s appeal.
40 Examples of Iranovation and Dubaichitecture
39
Kissing Strangers as Art
Iranian Ashkan Sahihi Explores Sexuality with Photography
38
Luxury Underwater Hotel in Dubai
Hydropolis to Open This Month
37
Wheel Shaped Hotel
Dubai Promenade
36
Dubai Sky Photos
View From 85th Floor of Burj Dubai
35
Awesome Architecture in Iran
Incredible Buildings You Never Knew About
34
Dubai's Next Man Made Island
The Universe
33
Governmental Fun with Photoshop
More Iran Tech Pix Revealed
32
Dubai Builds Fashion Island
Isla Moda
31
Dancing Dubaichitecture
Self-Powered Dynamic Eco-Architecture
30
All Wonders of the World in Dubai
Pyramid, Taj Mahal and More in Falcon City of Wonders
29
$25,000 Hotel Rooms
Atlantis The Palm Hotel in Dubai
28
5 Acre Dubai Real Estate Sign
World's Biggest Ad
27
Screaming Photography
Scream by Ashkan Sahihi
26
Iranian Rocker Hair
Kids Fight to Keep Their Hair Styles
25
Dubai Again At Forefront of Lavish Design
The Wave Tower
24
Celebrity Architects
Pamela Anderson's Eco-Friendly Dubai Hotel
23
Fashion in Iran
Masih Designs
22
50 Story Water Fountains
Dubai To Blow Water into the Desert Air
21
$35 Million Parties
Kylie Minogue Gets $4.4 at Dubai Soiree
20
Peace Through Art
Seattle-Tehran Poster Show Unites Iran and USA
19
Luxury Hotel Boom
6 Sumptuous Dubai Resorts
18
Cultural Fashion Invasions
Mango Invades Iran & Iraq
17
$25 Million Mega-Parties
Dubai Soiree Will Be Viewable from Space
16
Kids Fashion Week
Dubai Puts Children on the Catwalk
15
Illegal Instrumentalists
Kenny G Music Does Not Strike a Chord With Iran
14
Champagne Inspired Buildings
The Bubble Windows of Dubai's Pixel Tower
13
Dreamworks Joins Dubailand
World's First Dreamworks Theme Park
12
Beijing Olympic Controversies
Iran To Broadcast Female Competitors from China?
11
Solar-Powered Hotel
Grand Hyatt Dubai
10
Eco Activism in Iran
Bloggers Try to Save Wetlands
9
Green Hollywood Architects
Brad Pitt Designs Eco Hotel in Dubai
8
Billion Dollar Robotic Jurassic Park
Restless Planet in Dubai
7
Multi-Cultural Projects in Dubai
Museum of Middle East Modern Art
6
Iranian Fashion
Haniyeh Abedi Leads Industry
5
Living Inside an iPod
The Shuffle Tower in Dubai
4
Wireless Mesh Phone Networks for Skyscrapers
Burj Dubai Gets Firetide Mesh
3
Future Dubai Cybertecture
Du Tower
2
World's Longest Arch Bridge
667 Meter Bridge in Dubai
1
Female Cadets in the Middle East
Iran After the Islamic Revolution
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