the Royal Road (ongoing)

Royal Road Transformation Iran dualities Iranian society opposition tradition modernity religion emancipation identity conflict western eastern culture paradoxes development upheaval laure d'Utruy photographer reportage

An Iranian Paykan car parked outside a shop selling traditional doogh drinks. Semnan Province, Iran, 2016

Iranian family exploring the salt mountains. Hormuz island, Iran, 2017

Man sitting at the Shah Mosque during the religious events of the Ashura. Tehran, Iran, 2016

The series is part of the project The Royal Road: in transformation started in Iran in 2016.

It explores the ever present sense of duality that exists throughout the Iranian society: the opposition of tradition and modernity, religion and desire of emancipation, and the confrontation of local and global cultures. It also delves into the ways in which the rich and diverse natural landscape has continued to be transformed by urban and architectural development as a result of the country’s growth.

It is fascinating how the confrontation of these concepts can be perceived all around the country. The project explores its impact on the environment, the natural landscape and the communities throughout the country.

- projected at MOPLA, the Month Of Photography Los Angeles festival in 2018
(Los Angeles, USA )

- shortlisted by the Lucie Foundation for the Emerging Scholarship in 2017

extended portfolio available on request

Wedding decorations. Dekhoda, Qeshm island, Iran, 2017.

Old poster in the backyard of a road shop. Semnan Province, Iran, 2016

Facade of a hejleh, a traditional room for the married couple in Iranian wedding. Dehkhoda, Iran, 2017

Bamland real estate complex. Tehran, Iran, 2018

Muslims praying in cage structures in a public garden. Isfahan, Iran, 2017

Portrait of Idin. Tehran, Iran, 2017

Portrait of iranian martyrs of the war that opposed Iran to Iraq from 1980 until 1988. Meymand, Iran, 2017

Navid and Mehran. Rasht, Iran, 2018.

Iranian couple posing for a photo on the top of a red shore. Hormuz island, Iran, 2017

Iranian tourists at Eram garden. Shiraz, Iran, 2017

Badab-e Surt natural site. Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2016

Prayer time at Jameh Mosque. Yazd, Iran, 2016

Month of Photography Los Angeles / MOPLA Festival - April 2018

LAURE D'UTRUY