Tempo Memoria Group Exhibition in Italy

Group shot 

Turin

I was thrilled when Sergio Gomez asked me to be part of this amazing group exhibition. I have shown my work internationally before in London Biennale but this was a different experience. We were going to exhibit in a Museum in Turin-Itlay. I was debating if I should go on the trip or not...after all traveling to Italy is not really cheap. But then again I thought how many times I would get this chance to go and meet up with other artist friends of mine, maybe meet up with old friends who might be traveling in Europe in summer and of course experience the exhibition in person. So here I went to the amazing city of Turin. As soon as I got to see downtown and where the museum was located, I was blown away. This charming city has a lot of character, lot of energy, I was simply blown away.

The next day we all were there for the opening. What a night this was. It was truly an amazing experience. The next few days went by so fast with visiting the landmarks and museums and even a one day trip to Milan. As an artist, I truly believe traveling is always necessary as it will open new doors, gives you inspirations and ideas and also connects you to so many amazing people...

Below photos were taken by the amazing Sergio Gomez who curated this exhibit, who showed us how to dare to dream again...

The Museum MIIT

Each artist had two pieces in this exhibit. As for me below pieces were shown. It actually made it to the local newspaper in Turin as well!

Met a friend from Dubai after 4 years

Photo by ACS Magazine

During the opening night, each artist talked a bit about their work and how it is linked to the theme of the exhibit "Time & Memory" - We all had a blast.

Opening Reception 

The whole experience was just amazing, being able to showcase my art outside Iran and U.S and in Europe was so heart warming. The exhibit runs till August 20th 2016 so in case you find yourself in the beautiful charming city of Turin, make sure to pay a visit to this lovely museum and see our works.

Installing "Shortcut to the Silk Road" exhibit

My first solo exhibition in the U.S could not have occurred at a better time. We just learned that Sanctions against Iran has been removed. Iran is the talk of every conversation and I get to share my art at the same time. Setting up this exhibit has been hard and could not have been possible without the  help of  amazing staff at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts have been so supportive and enthusiastic of the upcoming show. Whitney Valentine, the lovely Exhibition Manager of the center has put together some great events coming up for me to be able to share my vision with you all. We have done interviews with CareerLine Tech Center. The interview will be shown on the wall outside of main gallery. As you walk in the space, you will see a free hand sketched map of the ancient Silk Road where some of my pieces could be seen across its length. Influenced by the title of the exhibit, I have used Saffron and Tea as colors in some of the pieces; these were some of the main elements traveled across the Silk Road from Persia. As you go further,  you will see walls covered with the word "LOVE" in Farsi. I was born during Iran's Revolution year. As a child I remember seeing lots of graffiti as political protest decorating the walls of buildings in Tehran. Activists made their statements under the cover of darkness on the walls all over the city. The scrawling of political statements in public has occurred for generations and is still visible under the current government.

I've always believed in the power of writing. Personally, it works for me as a source of affirmation. By scribing "LOVE" over and over again in this space, I hope to circulate more positive energy. I wish to use the power of this word to showcase one of the most influential elements in our lives. There are some Persian blue beads hanging from the ceiling; in lot of countries these are meant to take the evil eye away.

I invite you all to share your experience and tell us what you thought of the show. Instead of a guest book, we want you to share your thoughts on the wall in the main gallery. There will be markers located for you all to share your take on the exhibit. I also encourage you all to find the corner which speaks to you the most, snap a photo and share it on your social media.  Would be great if you could also tag myself and Saugatuck Center for the Arts, we can then use your photos for a trailer I will be making post this exhibit.

What to expect during "Shortcut to the Silk Road" Exhibit

As we get closer to end of the year, everyone is busy with the last minute shopping, family gatherings etc. For me it is a different kind of preparation though; getting the final plans and sketches done for the "Shortcut to the Silk Road" exhibition in Saugatuck MI this January.  This Exhibition brings to life the most celebrated trade route in history, named for the treasured fabric that attracted traders from all over the world. The Silk Road stretched from the far reaches of China through the cities and empires of Central Asia and the Middle East. Extending 4,000 miles, the Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in Chinese silk carried out along its length. Trade goods were not the only things travelers carried with them; artistic methods and motifs, styles of music, religions, languages and literature, philosophies and political ideologies were all transported along with silks, spices and porcelains. Rather than the luxury items that might pass from one set of hands to another, more often it was these more intangible cultural products that left the most indelible impressions.

In the spirit of this exhibit, I have used some of the merchants which have been significant to the silk road in some of the new pieces which will be on view during "Shortcut To The Silk Road" exhibit; Tea and Saffron are some main mediums in some pieces. Stay tuned for some images to come as we get closer to the opening date. Join us on January 22nd 2016 at Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 5:30-7:30 pm located on 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, MI.