Book - Different Sames: New Perspectives in Contemporary Iranian Art
Long considered a bastion of creativity in the region, Iran is currently experiencing a remarkable artistic revival in the middle of the most challenging of circumstances. Iranian artists - whether based inside or outside the country - are creating remarkable works that reflect their country's social and political environment, while incorporating their own personal worldviews and those of their adopted homelands. - 7/2/09
Photos: Surreal Republic
I just did these photos with musician Kayvon Zand titled surreal republic. They are a poetic journey into Iranian history, politics and cultural symbols. Hope you like them. -Niki Koohpaima - 6/9/09
The Intersection of Islam, America and Identity
On the surface Ms. Ahmed Shikoh, now 31, has little in common with Negar Ahkami, 38, a sleek, raven-haired Iranian-American artist, beyond the wall space that they share in a new exhibition, “The Seen and the Hidden: [Dis]Covering the Veil,” at the Austrian Cultural Forum in Manhattan. -New York Times - 6/9/09
Farhang Foundation and LACMA Proudly Present Shirin Neshat and the film "Women without Men"
The program includes screening of work-in-progress segments of her film "Women without Men" followed by a discussion between Shirin Neshat and Nasrin Rahimieh, Professor of Comparative Literature and Maseeh Chair and Director of Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture School of Humanities at the University of California, Irvine. - 6/2/09
Maryam Shirinlou: An inspiring and warm hearted painter
Maryam Shirinlou has for a long time been one of our favorite artists currently working in Iran. Born in Tehran, after the revolution she moved with her parents, first to France, and then to the US, where she trained in Art in California. She later moved back to Tehran and became interested in yoga and healing -Syma Sayyah & Paul Sanford, Teharn - 5/29/09
The Persian Contrast: An Exhibition by Melika Shafahi
Melika Shafahi was born in 1984 in Tehran where she also did her university studies and received her BA in photography. Shafahi has worked in various Persian fashion design projects and theater mise en scenes. -gallerymamak.com, Tehran - 5/29/09
Abbas Kiarostami – a photographic overture 26-30th May 2009 in London
Candlestar and PurdyHicks present a short exhibition of photography and film by the acclaimed Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami, launched to coincide with the opening of his production of Mozart's Così fan Tutte at English National Opera. - 5/26/09
Feel the Expanse: An Exhibition by Roxanna Manuchehri
"This is my room, this is my studio" it says in Perso-Arabic script on one of Roxana Manouchehri's paintings from the "Feel the Expanse" series the Teheran-born artist is introducing to us in the present exhibition. The painting is showing a windowless, unfurnished, dimly neon-lit interior easily identifiable as the artist's Korean studio in North Eastern Seoul's Changdong district. - 5/19/09
"Looped and Layered" in New York: A Selection of Contemporary Art from Tehran
The exhibition focuses on the post revolution generation in Tehran; home to a large, self-sustaining, vibrant and progressive art community. Drawn in by art's intrinsic, hermetic codes - both visual and formal - its space is sought out by an astounding number of students for its ability to allow for expression. - 5/18/09
Reverse Painting on Glass
Recently I came across a most unusual book on Iranian art, which dealt with the subject of reverse painting on glass (poshteh shisheh). Like many kinds of art this may not appeal to everyone, yet it is no doubt an outstanding art book and those who are interested in true Iranian art and in particular glass art work should find it most informative and fascinating. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 5/18/09
The Guests of Desert: 22nd Environmental Art Festival in Iran - Isfahan- Talab Gawkhoni
Last month (April 2009) an Environmental Arts Festival was held in the central desert of Iran, near Isfahan. -Ahmad Nadalian, RiverArt; photos by Raheleh Zomorodina - 5/15/09
Winners of First International Car Cartoon Contest Announced
When you don't have a car you have one problem, but when you have a car you have hundred and one problems! Perhaps we have heard this sentence many times, but really if the first men know that the invention of wheel causes so much problems in future, would he do it or not?! -irancartoon.com - 5/14/09
Faces of Successful Iranian Americans: Shirin Neshat: Pursuing a Dream
"The most important message [I can give to other Iranian-Americans] is to try to look within, not without, for strength, confidence, and sense of individuality." As a world-renowned film maker and artist, Shirin Neshat certainly embodies all three traits. - 5/7/09
Passions of Color: An Exhibition by Saloumeh Golnaraghi
Born in 1988 in Iran, Saloumeh Golnaraghi got her degree in art from the Tehran Azad University of Fine Arts. Over the past five years Gonaraghi has had numerous group and solo exhibitions in Iran. She has also participated in several exhibitions in which she has won national awards such as the first prize in the Saba Exhibition of Still Life in 2005. - 5/7/09
Iran Revisited: photographs by Sanaz Mazinani at Toronto Image Works Gallery
Sanaz Mazinani's colour diptychs and marquee photographs explore the physical landscape and human faces of contemporary Iran, her country of origin. Each image contains its own narrative qualities and together they create a complex portrait of the country. - 5/5/09
Exhibition - Eros in Asia: Erotic Art from Iran to Japan
Eros in Asia is the first exhibition from The Kinsey Institute to highlight its extensive collection of erotic artwork from across the Asian continent. In the 1940s and 1950s, Dr. Alfred Kinsey actively collected visual materials from around the world, to enable him to study sexual behavior and attitudes. - 4/28/09
Exhibition: Bita Ghezelayagh's "FELT MEMORIES" in London
Bita Ghezelayagh's first solo exhibition in Europe features a collection of felt costumes, made for display only, which combine talismanic symbols, silk screen printing and embroidery. - 4/27/09
Exhibition: Tarjama/Translation at the Queens Museum of Art in New York
Reshuffling the pertinence of geographical boundaries through the multivalent practices of translation, this unprecedented exhibition features artists from the Middle East, Central Asia and its diasporas. - 4/24/09
Iran rejects U.S. National Gallery of Art's request for Gauguin painting
The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA) recently turned down a request from the National Gallery of Art in Washington for a loan of a Paul Gauguin still life for an exhibition. "In response to the National Gallery of Art director, we said that the United States is not legally safe for Iranian artworks," office director Mahmud Shaluii said. - 4/22/09
Kiarostami to make UK operatic directorial debut with "Così fan tutte"
Award-winning Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami makes his UK operatic directorial debut with Così fan tutte. Kiarostami's striking design for this production has both simplicity and scale and his unique approach, incorporating film within a period setting, demonstrates his original eye for beauty. - 4/22/09
Sculpture for oil: Iranian artwork in Christie's Auction
While oil prices are rapidly dropping in global markets, prices in arts auctions have a different story. Iranian paintings, calligraphies and statues are becoming increasingly expensive as they were on sale in international auctions. -Saghar Rafiee, Iran - 4/21/09
Nostalgia: An Exhibition by Mani Gholami
I started sketching in 1989. Two years after that I went to Mr. Vakili's workshops where we learned to draw from live models and to depict the mannerism and behavior of the figures. I then entered university where we again worked with models but this time our techniques were more Real. -Gallery Mamak, Tahran - 4/20/09
"A Window to Life": Abbas Kiarostami Photo Exhibition at Tehran's Golestan Gallery
Tehran's Golestan Gallery is currently playing host to a photo exhibition by world-renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. Entitled "A Window to Life," the exhibit opened Friday amid the presence of prominent artists and cinematic figures. - 4/19/09
Paradise Lost: Persia From Above
For the first time ever, 29 breathtaking aerial photographs of Persia by award-winning Swiss photographer Georg Gerster, taken in the immediate years before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, will be on exhibition at the Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller Gallery (LTMH) from April 4th through April 21st, 2009. - 4/14/09
Dialogue with Nature: 21st Environmental Art Festival in Iran - Persian Gulf- Genaveh
Last month (March 2009) an environmental art festival was held in the western part of Persian Gulf. The festival has been held during Noruz holidays (Iranian New Year) in in Genaveh. One goal is to promote environmental art and education. Participants at the Festival made works using beach sand and rocks. -Ahmad Nadalian, RiverArt - 4/14/09
Persiannalite in Paris: Reza Abedini's Poster exhibition
French Galerie Anatome à Paris is collaborating in holding Reza Abedini's poster exhibition called "Persiannalite" opening in May. The exhibit will run from May 4 to July 3, but the official opening ceremony will be held on May 13. - 4/14/09
Finalist Announced for Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize
At the Magic of Persia's Dubai Gala this evening, seven Finalists were announced for the Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize (MOPCAP) by the chair of the international Jury, Sheena Wagstaff, Chief Curator of Tate Modern in London. - 4/13/09
FRAMING WARHOL! ...
Andy Warhol Exhibit at Paris' Grand Palais highlights Pahlavi Era Portraits amidst 20th Century Icons who inspired the Pop Art Maestro -Paris report by Darius KADIVAR - 4/10/09
SoCiArts Productions presents "feminine", Apr 10-17, 2009 in Los Angeles
Society of Cinema and Arts (SoCiArts) will proudly host the opening reception of feminine on April 10, 2009 from 8 to 11 p.m. at a gallery space on 11821 Mississippi Ave in Los Angeles, featuring eight of its member artists - 4/7/09
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art to exhibit hidden art trove
The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA) plans to put on display a rarely-seen collection of paintings by some of the world's august artists in an exhibition that will open on May 5. - 4/6/09
A Weekend of Events in Dubai Highlighted by Gala Dinner & Contemporary Art Auction of Works Donated by Leading Middle Eastern Artists
Magic of Persia's fundraiser for 2009, Magical Nights in Dubai, will take place on Saturday 11th April and Sunday 12th April 2009. The highlight of the events as always will be the grand Gala and Contemporary Iranian Art Auction on Saturday 11th April 2009 at the Emirates Towers in Dubai - 4/2/09
Iranian children receive medals at Tokyo picture contest
Three Iranian children received silver and bronze medals and plate of honor at the 16th World Children's Picture Contest held in Tokyo, Japan. - 3/28/09
Passions of Lorestan: An Exhibition by Yadollah Rezvani
I was born in Tehran, in 1948. I come from a very culture oriented family. I used to paint as a child. In spite of all my love for painting I decided to study electrical engineering at university. - 3/26/09
Iranian Artists participate in China exhibition: "In The Mood For Paper"
Inspired by the title of the movie "In The Mood For Love", "In The Mood For Paper" is a follow-up of the acclaimed "Crouching Paper, Hidden Dragon" works on paper show, a group show of solely Chinese contemporary artists held at F2 Gallery in 2008. - 3/25/09
Museum exhibition: "Caravan across Persia: An Archaeological Tour of Iran"
The University Museum at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is proud to present a new exhibition "Caravan across Persia: An Archaeological Tour of Iran." This new series of museum exhibitions create unexpected connections between ancient civilizations and the modern era. Ancient and medieval ceramics from Persia are juxtaposed with historical photographs of Iran in the 1930s, made by renowned German photographer Axel von Graefe. - 3/24/09
Profile: Iranian-American Artist Mona Shomali
Mona Shomali was born in Los Angeles California in the year 1979, the same year of the Iranian Revolution... Overall, Mona's art has been most influenced by the (California) bay area figurative movement (1950-1965), and Iranian or Iranian- American art. - 3/23/09
Photos: "Earthly Hands, Heavenly Designs"
3500 square meters of Persian rugs and kilims covered the plains of Shahdad in Iran's Kerman province as part of filming a documentary about the the province of Kerman in Iran. The film covers various aspects of Kerman including history, nature and art. -Photos by Yaser Khadishi, ISNA - 3/13/09
Winners of Iranian Photo Contest Announced on VOA
Nine winners of a special photography contest examining Iranian Women in Society were shown today on the Voice of America's (VOA) Persian News Network (PNN). - 3/13/09
A Fabulous Mythological Bird: 20th Environmental Art Festival in Iran - Persian Gulf- Hormoz
In the middle of January 2009 I traveled to Hormoz Island. In addition to my 'bicycle of peace', I realized several new environmental art projects. In early February 2009 many environmental artists traveled to Hormoz Island to hold the 20th Environmental Art Festival in Iran, focused on the theme of "The Human and The Environment". Most of my environmental art works created at Hormoz Island were paintings with organic colored earth. -Ahmad Nadalian - 3/12/09
Book Launch and Exhibition in London: Iranian photography Now
Iranian Photography Now is a dynamic survey and celebration of the unique vision of 36 Iranian artists living in Iran and abroad. Featuring well-known and established photographers together with emerging talents, all the artists in this publication distinguish themselves with the originality of their vision, whether documentary, artistic, or conceptual. - 3/12/09
Profile of Iranian Artist Saeed Shahlapour
Born in 1944 in Iran, Shahlapour graduated from the Tehran University of Fine Arts in sculpture in 1980. One of Iran's leading sculptors today, Saeed Shahlapour's personal life is as intriguing as the flowing curves of his works. -Gallery Mamak, Tahran - 3/11/09
Photos: Artists create 3000-meter painting in Tehran - "From Museum to Museum"
The first Fajr International Visual Arts Festival held Iran's largest open-air painting workshop on March 5. Entitled "From Museum to Museum," the workshop was attended by one thousand Iranian painters who painted on a 3000-meter canvas. - 3/7/09
Movable Exhibit Displays Images of Iranians in Everyday Life
If his latest project sparks debate and discussion in America, photographer Tom Loughlin will believe it is a success. By that measure, "Pictures of You: Images from Iran," described by Loughlin as a "traveling multimedia installation featuring portraits of Iranian citizens printed on translucent fabric," has done well. Comments on the project's Web site and in other publications range from reverent to resentful. -America.gov - 3/5/09
Awakening: A video by Majeed Beenteha
This video is based on images from a recent photography project titled "Awakening". The photography series deals with pervasive and delusional notions of Iranian nationalism and national pride. The work also attempts to explore our ideals and ideas about human rights and gender relation. - 3/4/09
Masques of Shahrazad in London: Evolution and Revolution of three generations of Iranian women artists
An exhibition featuring work by 28 Iranian women artists runs at The Mall Galleries, London, 9 – 14 March 2009. Opening on International Women's Day and thirty years on from the upheavals of the Iranian Revolution, the Masques of Shahrazad is an opportunity to survey the Iranian artistic landscape of the last three decades. It is a moment to celebrate established artists and to uncover the new names that will bear the standard for women's art in Iran for decades to come. - 3/3/09
Germany - Woman perspectives 2009: 1001 Iran
Friday March 13 to 29 in Karlsruhe - Exhibitions, Lectures, Music, Films, Concerts, Theater, Chahar Shanbeh Suri, and Norouz celebrations - 3/1/09
Iranian artists to create 3000-meter painting at Fajr festival
The first Fajr International Visual Arts Festival will hold Iran's largest open-air painting workshop on March 5. Entitled "From Museum to Museum," the workshop will be attended by one thousand Iranian painters who will be painting on a 3000-meter canvas. -MNA - 2/27/09
Jim Richardson: "Technology without meaning is just a waste"
Jim Richardson is a world-renowned American documentary photographer and photojournalist who works for the National Geographic magazine. He is also a contributing editor of Traveler Magazine. -Interview by Ahmadreza Tavassoli - 2/24/09
The Equestrian Embrace: Winner of Iran's Abilympic award, Arash Rezghibarez
Arash Rezghibarez was born in 1970 in Tehran. He started to paint professionally in 1988 by which time he had already studied with two of Iran's best teachers: Haedeh Zarrinbal and Mohammad Jafari. -gallerymamak.com, Tehran - 2/19/09
Exhibition by Nicky Nodjoumi in New York: The Formulaic Nature of Appearances
By speaking literally and figuratively of two worlds simultaneously, the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East, Nodjoumi evokes individual dialogues against a continuous backdrop of ambiguity, allegory and irony. - 2/17/09
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