Farzin Foroutan (*1992 in Mashhad, Iran) is an Iranian artist specializing in photography and visual arts. He endeavors to capture the essence of the world around him, exploring his connection with society and the environment with utmost sensitivity. His creative journey is rooted in his immediate surroundings, memories, and personal perceptions, serving as his constant inspiration and starting point for artistic expression. His work has been shown internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions.

Farzin Foroutan lives and works in Berlin.

Interspatial Camouflage, 2025

Interspatial Camouflage is a deeply personal exploration for the artist —a reflection of his own experience navigating the tension between blending in and standing out. He has always been struck by sayings like the Persian proverb, “If you wish not to be disgraced, blend in with the crowd,” or the German, “to howl with the wolves.” They carry a truth that resonates: the ways we adapt ourselves to fit into new spaces, often reshaping parts of who we are just to feel accepted.

This series grew out of Farzin’s fascination with how we, like animals, develop our own forms of camouflage—adopting new “colours” and “patterns” to survive in unfamiliar environments. At first, this adaptation feels like protection, a way to connect and belong. But he has often found himself wondering: at what point does blending in mean losing sight of myself?

Each photograph in this collection reflects that inner conflict. The layered textures and obscured figures mirror the many “selves” he has inhabited—sometimes authentic, sometimes a performance. Creating this work forced me to confront the quiet battles he has fought to stay true to who he is, even as he has shaped himself to fit into different roles and expectations.

Through this series, Fazin hopes to share not just his own journey but a universal one: the invisible spaces within us where the pressure to conform meets the longing to be whole. It’s an invitation to reflect on the delicate balance between visibility and invisibility, connection and authenticity—and to ask ourselves, who are we when we stop trying to blend in?

404 ERROR, 2022

Farzin’s latest project, “404 Error,” symbolizes his transformation—an intimate journey into censorship, identity, and adaptation. It mirrors his struggle to connect with a foreign culture. Through these photos, he unveils his narrative to recall memories, even as his inner self conceals his past. His life experiences merge with the landscape, forging an unsettling yet poignant visual language. “404 Error” transcends language barriers, resonating with those navigating unfamiliar terrain while safeguarding their identity.

I’M NOT HERE, EVEN NOT THERE, 2019

In the vast expanse of our world, people establish a unique connection to a place they designate as “home.” Departing from his hometown for the pursuit of education in various countries, the artist has revisited both his roots and those new urban landscapes. Yet, the once-familiar locales now lack the intimate resonance of home, casting every corner of those dwellings in an unfamiliar light.

Homes transcend geographical boundaries; they exist ubiquitously. Unveiling the essence of home becomes a profound act, akin to unlocking a door and stepping into an intricate realm of emotions, encapsulating that extraordinary sensation named the feeling of home.

PARALLEL STREAMS, 2015

Parallel Streams series focuses on the relationship between men and women, and the image that is perceived in society about how women should be and act like. This perception stays with generations after generations like parallel mirrors that accompany our lives.

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