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.
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:
"Bad Girls" by Bahar Sabzevari--From Robert Adanto's Documentary; "Pearls on the Ocean Floor"--Photo courtesy of Robert Adanto
Director Robert Adanto’s new documentary film “Pearls on the Ocean Floor,”–shot in London, Berlin, NYC, San Francisco, and Leipzig–while a “friend provided some footage from Tehran”– interviews some of the most influential Iranian female artists living and working in and outside of Iran, including: Shadi Ghadirian, Shirin Neshat, Parastou Forouhar, Haleh Anvari, Leila Pazooki, Afshan Ketabchi, Malekeh Nayiny, Bahar Sabzevari, Afsoon, Gohar Dashti, Negar Ahkami, Taravat Talepasand, Shadi Yousefian, and Mona Hakimi-Schuler. Continue Reading
Works by Taravat Talepasand: L to R, The Story of Shirin and Farhad (2006), Regal Splendour (2009)
She had us at first glance!
San Francisco-based Iranian-American artist, Taravat Talepasand, has the ability to create the kind of art that makes you incapable of passing by her pieces without feeling the need to stop and stare–trying to figure out what she’s trying to tell you.
Her aesthetic is not only provocative and sexy…It’s smart! Continue Reading
Moments after she was shot to death on June 20th, 2009 during the Iran election protests, images and video of her unjustified departure flooded the internet–and overnight, Neda’s neda (Persian: voice, call) was heard.
And now as the anniversary of her death approaches, Neda Agha Soltan is remembered; Continue Reading
With a perfect mix of action, comedy, drama, suspense, and adventure–the Shahnameh and A Thousand and One Nights-inspired Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, delivers!
The characters are built fast and smart. So don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with the video-game, you’ll have no problem understanding the connections and dynamics of the characters, or the plot in general. Continue Reading
Winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, this first feature film by acclaimed visual artist ShirinNeshat explores the lives of four women during the traumatic era in early fifties Iran.
Against the tumultuous backdrop of Iran’s 1953 CIA-backed coup d’état, the destinies of four women converge in a beautiful orchard garden, where they find independence, solace and companionship.
Neshat delves into the social and psychological dimensions of her characters, as a British and American backed coup topples a democratically elected government.
With subtlety and poetry, Women Without Men reveals the impact of historical and religious forces on females across the spectrum of Iranian society.
Shirin Neshat’s award winning film “Women Without Men” opens in NYC onMay 14th.
Opening weekend followed by Q&A with Director Shirin Neshat.
Lake County, CA – When brothers-in-law Ali Namdar and Kambiz Safinya purchased the Sonatina Vineyard, hidden away in a corner of Lake County in Northern California, they did so specifically because this unique property would produce exceptional grapes. When they chose highly respected Vineyard Manager David Weiss, California native and the owner of Bella Vista Farming Company, they did so because of his intense attention to detail and respect for the vines and the land. And when they needed a winemaker to make their wine they chose Denis Malbec, former winemaker at the renowned Château Latour in Bordeaux, and his wife and winemaking partner, May-Britt. They knew that they had created a multinational, multicultural team that would take their Lake County wine to a new level of elegance and sophistication.
“When we purchased the vineyard we felt that we had found a hidden treasure, a pearl in the sand so to speak, and we are proud of what it has become,” Namdar explains.
Vineyard Manager David Weiss, owner of Bella Vista Farming Company and a graduate of Stanford University with an engineering degree, owns vineyards as well as pear orchards, and has served as director on several association boards, including the Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). Weiss states, “Our farming philosophy at Bella Vista has always emphasized a sustainable approach to cultural practices. Working with the Xurus team has been a genuine pleasure because everyone is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of quality with the least amount of interference in the natural process.”
