Amir "Mondoir" Soleymani

Early Life

Amir Soleymani, widely known by his social media alias Mondoir, was born and raised in Iran. From a young age, he was exposed to the world of collecting, ignited by his grandfather's stamp collection. By the age of nine, Amir was already an avid stamp collector, frequenting local post offices to expand his collection. His early passion for collecting tangible pieces of history and culture laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the art world and the web3 space.

Career

Art Galleries

Amir is a well-known art collector and owns art galleries in Downtown Dubai and Liverpool, UK. His galleries feature a diverse range of traditional and digital art, reflecting his broad interests in the art world.

Collecting Philosophy

Amir's approach to art collection has evolved over the years, moving from a focus on aesthetics to valuing art and connection over financial returns. His philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that art serves as a medium for human connection, a theme he explores in his book "The Art of Connectivity."

Web3 Technology

Amir "Mondoir" Soleymani is the founder of Directory.art, a platform designed to facilitate connections within the art industry. Launched by Mondoir, the platform reached over 1,000 users within its first week. Unlike traditional Web3 platforms, Directory.art is not backed by venture capital or investors, focusing instead on organic growth and community engagement. The platform aims to solve the challenge of discovery for artists and has already announced an exhibition at the Mondoir Gallery in Downtown Dubai, featuring works from artists on the platform. The exhibition is equipped with state-of-the-art display technology, including two 224-inch screens dubbed "The Grid."

The Art of Connectivity

In 2023, Amir published his book "The Art of Connectivity: Unveiling the Magic of NFTs." The book serves as a comprehensive guide to the transformative power of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and their impact on the art world. It delves into Amir's personal experiences and encounters with renowned artists, influential figures, and a vibrant community of collectors and creators. The book also outlines Amir's activism and efforts to make a positive impact within the NFT community, including his focus on elevating the status of female artists.

Influence and Thought Leadership

Amir's influence extends beyond his galleries and book. He is a prominent voice in discussions about the future of digital art, NFTs, and web3 technologies. His platforms serve as a hub for artists, collectors, and tech enthusiasts to explore the evolving landscape of digital art and blockchain technology.^[1]

Public Appearances and Speaking Engagements

Christie’s Art+Tech Summit

Amir 'Mondoir' Soleymani was a confirmed guest speaker at the Christie’s Art+Tech Summit in Dubai, held during Art Dubai 2023. The summit, organized by British auction house Christie's, aims to explore the intersection of art and technology. Previous editions of the summit were held in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Soleymani's participation underscores his influence and thought leadership in both the art and tech spaces. ^[2]

Philanthropy and Activism

Amir Soleymani has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly through the use of NFTs for goodwill causes. He has advocated for various social justice causes, including the Stop Asian Hate campaign and the Choose Love initiative. His focus on elevating the status of female artists is also noteworthy, as evidenced by his purchase of Paris Hilton and Blake Katheryn’s Genesis piece, which was the largest purchase of an NFT created by female artists at the time.

Legal Disputes

Nifty Gateway and Beeple Auction

In 2021, Amir Soleymani became involved in a legal dispute with Nifty Gateway, a prominent NFT trading platform, over an auction for a Beeple artwork titled "Abundance." Soleymani had bid on the artwork but was ultimately outbid. The auction was a ranked auction, a format Soleymani claims he had not encountered before. He was expected to pay $650,000 for a lower-valued edition of the work, which led to a series of legal disputes. Soleymani filed a suit in the U.K.'s High Court, questioning the fairness and enforceability of Nifty Gateway's terms. The case has also seen a countersuit filed in New York, adding an international layer to the dispute. ^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

Personal Life

Amir is married to Hoda, and they have two children, Adelia and Simon. His family has been a constant source of support and inspiration in his journey through the art and web3 worlds.

References

[1] ttps://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/29/middleeast/dubai-phygital-art-spc-intl/index.html

[2] ttps://www.christies.com/about-us/press-archive/details?PressReleaseID=10783

[3] ttps://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/nifty-gateway-legal-battle-beeple-1234605528/

[4] ttps://news.artnet.com/market/beeple-nifty-gateway-collector-dispute-2016787

[5] ttps://nypost.com/2021/10/23/winklevoss-twins-are-tangled-up-in-nft-scandal/

[6] ttps://dailyjus.com/world/2023/09/amir-soleymani-v-nifty-gateway

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