In Search of Paradise: The Court Arts of Iran - Asia Society Fall 2003, New York

The Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org) will celebrate Persian heritage and culture this fall with exhibitions and a full slate of public programs in New York: EXHIBITIONS HUNT FOR PARADISE: COURT ARTS OF IRAN, 1501-1576 at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) October 16, 2003 through January 18, 2004 A rare look at the Golden Age of the arts in Iran. The first two shahs of the Safavid dynasty, the charismatic Isma'il and his son Tahmasp, promoted a cultural flowering of extraordinary brilliance. Bringing together for the first time exquisite carpets and textiles, ceramics, stunning metalwork and illuminated manuscripts and bindings, the exhibition explores the complex interaction of royal patronage and religious faith that inspired this remarkable period of artistic creativity. TOOBA: SHIRIN NESHAT at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) October 16, 2003 through February 15, 2004 Shirin Neshat's double-screened video projection, titled Tooba, is one of her most poetic and evocative works. She uses the garden (a recurring motif in Persian art) as a symbol for both a spiritual longing for paradise and a quest for political power. Her work binds politics with spirituality and history with modernity. Neshat's exhibition provides a current perspective on Iranian culture, an intriguing counterpoint to the Safavid court art in the exhibition Hunt for Paradise: Court Arts of Iran, 1501-1576. Neshat was born in Qazvin, Iran. PERFORMANCES SOHRAB AND RUSTUM at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) Friday-Saturday, November 7-8, 8:00 p.m. The fateful battle between the warrior Rustum and his son Sohrab is a beloved legend from Zoroastrian mythology. Writer/performer Zaraawar Mistry's new play intertwines elements of the ancient legend with the tragicomic story of a contemporary Zoroastrian family in Bombay. For tickets, call Box Office: (212) 517-ASIA FILMS STRANGERS (Ramin Bahrani/2000/83 min./35 mm/video) at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) Friday, October 24, 7:00 p.m. Fresh out of college in the U.S., Kaveh (Ramin Bahrani) travels to Iran for the first time in search of his late father's childhood home. On a winding mountain road, he hitches a ride with a young truck driver, Abdul, who serves as his guide, at first for money and then out of friendship. While learning about his family background, Kaveh discovers that his grandfather was murdered and becomes determined to unearth the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. This semi-autobiographical debut feature film recounts a journey of conflicts and juxtapositions that forces Kaveh deeper into the past and toward a sense of forgiveness and understanding with his new Iranian friend. A New York premiere. In Farsi with English subtitles. Director Ramin Bahrani discusses his screenplay and the making of the film. Courtesy of Noruz Films. Part of NYC Lit Fest 2003: Home, presented by Time Out New York. Cosponsored by Asian CineVision $5 students; $7 members; $10 nonmembers For tickets, call Box Office: (212) 517-ASIA MYSTIC IRAN, THE UNSEEN WORLD (Aryana Farshad/2002/52 min./video) at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) Tuesday, November 4, 7:00 p.m. This documentary chronicles a modern woman's mystical journey into the heart of her native country, Iran, as she searches for the spiritual rites and rituals hidden for centuries. Discussion with director Aryana Farshad follows. Cosponsored by Women in Film and Television International, New York Women in Film and Television, and New York Television Academy. $5 students; $7 members; $10 nonmembers. For tickets, call Box Office: (212) 517-ASIA MARIA DE LOS ANGELES (Shoja Azari/2003/54 min./video) at Asia Society and Museum 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) Friday, January 9, 7:00 p.m. A behind-the-scenes making of Shirin Neshat's Tooba.