Teazy

Semco Salehi

Teazy (/ˈTːzi/) is a Persian street slang used for referencing sharp weapons such as blades and knives. Synonymous with hooliganism, it signifies a rhythm of life beating against normalcy, living on the edge, contrary to the status quo. The term originates from prisons where inmates used to craft metals into sharp objects for self-defense or hitting others.
Teazy represents the Iranian hyper-masculine image—embedded with pride and protection. It was made mostly for showing off and to instill fear in the heart of opponents. When utilized, it was used to slash and leave a mark or marks on a body, especially on the face. In some cases, to leave such humiliating marks on one person was a reminder for others in the neighborhood to recognize who reigned the streets at the time.
“Teazy” [i.e. the show] walks through the mind and soul of a hooligan and the world from his gaze, slicing into traditional male culture once glorified on the streets across Iran. Designed like a video game, the hooligan can choose weapons for the moment. Each “teazy” comes with a unique mentality depending on its size and appearance, applying certain effects on one’s visualization and confidence in its use.

Semco Salehi, “Soleiman”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Mamad Kootool”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Kambiz”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Rasoul”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Shaboon”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Morteza”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Hamid”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Hashem”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Nemat”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Gholamreza”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Abtin”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Asghar”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Danesh”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Fereydoon”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Meyti”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Mosio Simon”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Taghi”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Seyavash”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Tayeb”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Moghadam”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Mostafa”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Teazy”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Pirbaba”, from “Teazy” series, digital photograph on fabric, 137 x 95 cm, edition of 7 + AP, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Teazy”, a photo and video installation at Pasio, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Teazy”, a photo and video installation at Pasio, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Teazy”, a photo and video installation at Pasio, 2019
Semco Salehi, “Teazy”, a photo and video installation at Pasio, 2019