Facets of Iran

EXHIBITION OPENING: Fri, 27.05., 6 - 9 pm 6 - 7.30 pm: Film premiere and Artist Talk 7.30 to 9 pm: Opening Night EXHIBITION DURATION: Sat, 28.05. - Thu, 02.06., 2 - 7 pm Sunday and Monday (29.05. + 30.05.) the gallery is closed LECTURE I - Transcendence : Sat, 28.05., 5 pm Lecture by Paul King in conversation with Jon John LECTURE II - The Grieving Body: Thu, 02.06., 5 pm Lecture by Paul King in conversation with Jon John The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together. -Saadi Shirazi With their group exhibition “Facets of Iran,” artists Jon John Arias, Mike Marlowe, & Paul King ask: “Can we meet others as people and not projections of our romantic notions or our worst nightmares?” “Facets of Iran” reflects the experiences of three people with distinct impressions of a shared place and time. Utilizing their combined tools of photography, film-making, anthropology, and material art, their work represents glimpses into the richness and diversity of Iranian people and their environment. Jon John Arias, Mike Marlowe, & Paul King have stepped away from the de-humanizing geopolitical headlines to present a Western audience with more nuanced and intimate perspectives of the Iranian people. The creators of “Facets of Iran” remain committed to respecting cultural differences as well as bridging connections to our shared humanity. We would like to express deep gratitude towards the people of Iran for their unrivaled warmth, hospitality, patience, and generosity. Inside Iran by Mike Marlowe: The images in the “Facets of Iran” exhibition allow a look inside one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. There is no attempt to include cliché or to fight stereotypes, or even to create pretty pictures. The views are those that can be found by any visitor who is curious about the people and places of Iran. The exclusion of the classic tourist sites of Persia is deliberate. The intent is to bring to the viewer, as objectively as possible, the every days scenes that anyone would encounter during their own commute to work, or weekend break out of the city. I have used a subtle blend of color coupled with my standard practice of presenting a series of photographs that individually have layers of information in them and collectively show insights, but can also raise questions. This allows the viewer to place their own stereotypes and impressions over the series and either reinforce their views or be opened to new perspectives. Hearts in Sorrow: A Story of Ashura in Iran A Film by Jon John and Paul King The documentary short Hearts in Sorrow explores the religious ceremonies of 2015, surrounding the auspicious 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, known as ASHURA. It steps away from the geopolitical arguments to gain a greater understanding of the Iranian people and the Shia sect of Islam. Iran is considered to be the most stable and powerful nation with a Shia sect majority. Some within Iran consider their country’s greatest role to be the protector of the faith. Hearts in Sorrow was filmed in the cities of Shiraz, Eqlid, Yazd, and Kashan, as well as the mountain village of Kahkaran. This film follows the extravagant theatrical performances and street processions in the larger cities as well as the intimate gatherings in the smaller villages. Through invoking sorrow, the rituals of Ashura emotionally bind today’s adherents to each other and to a most profound suffering that occurred more than 1300 years ago.