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[HOUSTON]
Cyrus Cylinder at
Museum of Fine Arts
The iconic Cyrus Cylinder considered to be the first declaration of human rights, will make its way to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston this spring during a five-venue United States tour that includes 
the Smithsonian Institute and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
From The British Museum, the cylinder is inscribed in cuneiform on orders from Persian emperor Cyrus the Great following his defeat of Babylon in 539 BCE. The ancient clay charter introduces the new king as a reformer bringing peace throughout Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). The document extols Cyrus’ efforts to rebuild temples destroyed by his Babylonian predecessors and to repatriate those displaced and captured by the old regime.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from May 3 to June 14, 2013
[EUROPE]
Mohsen Namjoo on Tour
Iranian musician Mohsen Namjoo is currently touring Europe 
with his own style of music which has not always gone down well with the authorities in his home country.
He sang verses from Quran while playing a musical instrument. He had made a new home in the US, but at the time the authorities in Iran sentenced him to jail in absentia. He said, “The main reason for leaving Iran was to pursue my studies. And it was also an opportunity for new and different experiences. Because opportunities like this are limited in Iran, in terms of both quality and quantity.”
[IRAN]
Iranian Modern Painter Javadipur Dies at 92
Mahmud Javadipur, one of Iran’s modern painting pioneers, died of serious pelvis injuries and pulmonary embolism in Germany last week on Sunday at the age of 92.
Born in Tehran, Javadipur became interested in art due to his father’s skills in creating carpet designs. In 1948, Javadipur established Apadana, Iran’s first modern art gallery and a center for art education with
the help of his friends, Hossein Kazemi and Hushang Ajudani.
Shortly afterwards, Javadipur won a scholarship to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
He returned home in 1953 and began a career in art education at the Fine Art Faculty of the University of Tehran where he remained until 1957, when he was awarded a scholarship to the academy again for two years.
He created many works, some of which are on display at Iranian and foreign museums.
Javadipur’s comprehensive study about Iranian felt was published in a book entitled “Iranian Felts” in 2005.
In 2007, he was honored with the First Grade Order of Art and Culture, which was awarded by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
[PENNSYLVANIA]
Khataei’s Exhibit in Pittsburgh
Iranian designing artist and painter Mehrdad Khataei’s drawing and printmaking works have been selected to be showcased in a gallery in Pennsylvania, United States.
Khataei’s two created works from his collection titled Lost at 
the Pigsty will be exhibited at the Box Heart Gallery in the city of Pittsburgh.
The biennial exhibition which is titled “Art Inter/National, Here and Abroad… 2013” is also to host some other works by a number of artists from across the world.
The “Art Inter/National” exhibition takes place January 8 through February 2, 2013.
[BANGLADESH]
Tirafkan Recognized at Asian Art Biennale
The Iranian conceptual artist Sadeq Tirafkan has won an honorable mention at the 15th edition of the Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh.
The winners were announced during the opening 
ceremony of the event, which was held at the Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Saturday.
Tirafkan was honored for his mixed media artwork entitled “Human Tapestry”, a combination of digital photography and hand-woven coarse carpet.
He was not able to attend the ceremony and his sculptor compatriot Kambiz Sabri accepted the honorable mention on his behalf.
Works by Sabri and Iranian painter Morteza Asadi have also been showcased at the biennale.
[SAN FRANCISCO]
Etminani Exhibit at Art People Gallery
Bobak Etminani has spent the last twenty years exploring the majestic beauty hidden within the essence of existence, integrating into his work the viewpoints of modern physics and ancient wisdom 
about the cosmos. By allowing his paintings to be the continuation of the Universe, Etminani has reached a unique and refreshing pictorial space. Of his work, Etminani says: “I paint to harmonize my inner self with an ever-expanding force that weaves everything into one being.”
Bobek Etminani will be showing his “Grey Paintings” collection at Art People Gallery from February 1st-15th, 2013. The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 7th from 4-7pm.