After watching The Glass House and “finding out about the hardship and traumas that [the girls under the care of the Omid Foundation in Iran] experienced, [it] provoked feelings of sadness, anger and dismay in me,” says Mina Roshandeli of her inspiration to participate in the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge–set to take place in Hyde Park, London, UK–and her intent to raise funds for the Omid Foundation.
“…But I never even came close to imagining what those young women had been through.” Continue Reading
Inspired by a collection of poetry entitled Illuminations by Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891), the exhibition is curated by Ashok Adicéam, an independent curator and art advisor. (A fully illustrated catalogue with an essay by Adicéam will accompany the exhibition.)
Creating a revealing dialogue between artists living and working in the East and West, ILLUMINATIONS (After Arthur Rimbaud) highlights the strength of light to bind different cultures together.
As Rimbaud wrote, “…the soul for the soul, summing up everything, perfumes and sounds and colors.”
While a number of the artists are inspired by neon lighting, Iranian artist Leila Pazooki, uses blue neon tubes to sculpt a Persian word in Orientalism, 2010.
LOS ANGELES, CA, August, 2010–On Thursday, September 2, 2010, starting at 7 p.m. Farhang Foundation–the preeminent organization in Southern California dedicated to celebrating and promoting Iranian art, culture, and heritage–will host a Taste of Persia by Farhang Foundation pavilion, as part of the 9.02.10 Day celebrations, hosted by the City of Beverly Hills and the Honorable Mayor Jimmy Delshad.
This once-in-a-lifetime celebration 9.02.10 Day honors the city of Beverly Hills by welcoming residents and visitors to enjoy gourmet food, wine and marquee entertainment on the tented rooftop of the former Robinsons-May parking structure.
“All the excitement this Labor Day weekend will be right here in Beverly Hills, and everyone in the Los Angeles region, most especially the Persian community is invited to join our celebration”, said Mayor Jimmy Delshad.
Iranian-Americans comprise a large portion of the population of Beverly Hills. As such, it is fitting that Iranian culture be represented at the city’s most important celebration. To do that, Farhang Foundation has selected one of the most loved and accessible aspects of Persian culture – our world-renowned cuisine – to present to the community at large.
“Persian cuisine is the ideal way to introduce Iranian culture to the community at large, because it requires no prior knowledge or translation,” said Ali Razi, Chairman of Farhang Foundation. “As people get a taste of Persia and our hospitality, we are sure that they will leave with greater appreciation for Iranians and our culture.”
This splendid Taste of Persia by Farhang Foundation pavilion will feature exotic and tasty aromas, flavors, and delicacies of Persia in a completely re-imagined way and will be presented in an elegant style that is uniquely Beverly Hills, while showcasing some of the most distinct sights and sounds of the ancient Persian culture.
About 9.02.10 Day
Celebrate Beverly Hills on September 2, 2010, the date that matches the famous zip code! Larry King hosts an evening of world-class entertainment, gourmet food and fine wine! Tickets are on sale now and include unparalleled and unlimited food, drink and live entertainment! The 9.02.10 event will be held Thursday evening on the tented rooftop of the Robinsons-May parking structure and will kick off the three-day Taste of Beverly Hills, a food and wine festival. Prior to the event, Mayor Jimmy Delshad will address the community in the annual “Evening With the Mayor” sponsored by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Taste of Beverly hills will benefit the Beverly Hills Education Foundation. There will be no direct cost to taxpayers for 9.02.10 Day or Taste of Beverly Hills due to the generosity of civic, corporate and community donors. For more information, please visit beverlyhills.org/90210Day
Film festivals that honor Iranian films are held annually across the globe and now the time has finally arrived for an Iranian Film Festival to have a permanent home in the United Kingdom. UKIFF(a London-based charity and limited company) is delighted to announce the inaugural London Iranian Film Festival, commencing on November 19, 2010.
With a diverse program celebrating the best of contemporary Iranian films, the festival will showcase some of the finest talents of this rich cinematic culture.
Whilst acclaimed Iranian Directors may well be familiar to UK audiences, a new generation of emerging voices remain largely unknown.
The intention of the London Iranian Film Festival is to introduce this undiscovered new talent to London’s film enthusiast’s, as well as celebrating the work of legendary Iranian filmmakers.
Persian Dolls, 2009 by Negar Ahkami--Original Image via LTMH
Southampton, NY–An exhibition showcasing the work of important and emerging artists from the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, and the U.S. will be on view at Tripoli Gallery of Contemporary Art at 30A Jobs Lane in Southampton from September 1 through 29, 2010.
East Meets West on the East Endwill feature painting, sculpture and video by 12 contemporary artists. The exhibition is co-presented by Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery, New York, and Tripoli Gallery, Southampton, and organized by Leila Heller. An opening for the exhibition will be held on Wednesday, September 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Southampton Fresh Air Home, a camp for physically challenged children.
East Meets West on the East End will mark summer’s end with a look at beauty and tranquility while exploring the artists’ synergies and differences. The artists in the exhibition include Roya Akhavan, Shoja Azari and Shahram Karimi, Reza Derakshani, William Hillman, Nir Hod, Rachel Hovnanian, Peter Hristoff, Alexis Laurent, Arnaud Rivieren, Martin Saar, Elizabeth Thompson and Negar Ahkami.
For the optimal realization of human possibilities and the enjoyment of human dignity, 12Petals Media Groupreaches out globally, for “culture of Human Rights as a way of life.”
12Petals as a community production based media group with an emphasis on the “culture of human rights” philosophy strives to be a union of interdependent visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, cinematographers, playwrights, socials entrepreneurs and more, all coming together to produce pieces that promote and encourage respect for those rights protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
And, their most recent production–part of the 12Petals’s Culture of Human Rights and Responsibilities Advocacy Production Series–is ready for view:
Hey ABJEEZ fans…Your girls have a new jam for you: Farfar (Swedish: your grandfather).
Sisters, Melody and Safoura’s latest song, Farfar is a lounegy-type beat sung in Swedish.
It’s a sweet addition to any music library, and the lyrics are relatable too.
Check out some verses in English:
Life is precious, don’t take it for granted
Feel the love it has so generously granted
Nobody knows how long we’ll stay here,
So let’s cherish those we hold so dear
Life is as short as a morning breeze
Don’t ask why, that’s just the way it is