Siavash Aramjani nicknamed to Sia Aramjani (born on July 18, 1939 in Tehran – died on August 28, 2020 in New York) was an Iranian-American sculptor and architect. He was known as one of the pioneers of public art.
Siavash Aramjani learned drawing and painting since adolescence in private classes, encouraged by his father (who was a successful textile merchant). From the very beginning, he was not interested in following and imitating conventional artistic methods and that is why his teachers were unhappy with him and sent him out of class. However, his father always supported his innovations. His father’s support fostered Siavash’s innovative and irreplaceable vision to the end of his life.
He went to America in 1960 and studied philosophy, anthropology and mathematics at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His political activities forced him to leave Iran in the 1960s.
He explains his view on sculpting like this: “Public sculpting is not based on this philosophy to separate itself from everyday life and daily routines. This art should not attack, scare or control people. The task of public sculpting is to enhance the existing environment and space.
Sia Aramjani’s artworks can be seen in many famous museums around the world. He designed the Olympic torch for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
In April 2019, Metropolitan Museum of New York exhibited nearly 100 of his works in 7 large halls of the museum to honor him. 150 small wooden and cardboard replicas of towers and large metal structures designed by Aramjani can be seen in this exhibition.
The Metropolitan Museum of New York announced his death on September 7, 2019 due to heart attack.