IRAN
Pop Singer, Composer,
Musician, Morteza Pashaei Dies at 30
The funeral of Iranian music Morteza Pashaei on Sunday drew thousands of mourners to south Tehran, despite government opposition to Western-influenced entertainment or large public gatherings.
The turnout was so large, reported Press TV, Iran’s official English-language news service, “that his body could not be transferred to its resting place and the burial had to be postponed to a later time.”
The Iranian pop star Morteza Pashaei died of stomach cancer in the Iranian capital, Tehran the Bahman Hospital on Friday.
The 30-year-old had been suffering from stomach cancer for several months. On Tuesday, he was taken out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital after his chemotherapy for the aggressive cancer failed him.
The graphic design student was interested in art since childhood. He started music at 14 through playing the guitar. He is best known for his Yeki Hast track (2012).
Pashaei, who often appeared on Iranian television, specialized in ballads of the heart. Despite his illness, he continued to perform publicly, giving his last concert last month in Tehran, media reported.
MICHIGAN (USA)
Middle Eastern Artist in Women Artists Exhibit
“Reductive Minimalism: Women Artist’s in Dialogue 1960-2014” is an exhibit at UMMA, running through Jan. 25. The concept behind the exhibit, curated by University alum Erica Barrish, was to pair minimalist paintings from the movements’ origins in the 1960s, with works from its contemporary resurgence. The exhibit contains nine pairs of paintings, each focusing on a specific element that both old and new artists explores. The pairings draw attention to the common ground these women artists share despite generational and cultural differences.
Artist Shirazeh Houshiary, an Iranian artist, is the only Middle Eastern artist in the show, and her work is juxtaposed with Sally Hazelet Drummond, an American artist who rose to prominence in the 1950s.
Shirazeh Houshiary was born Shiraz 15 January 1955 and is an Iranian installation artist and sculptor. She is a former Turner Prize nominee, and lives and works in London.
See Houshiary’s work in “Reductive Minimalism: Women Artist’s in Dialogue 1960-2014” until January 25, 2015 at The University of Michigan Museum of Art. 525 South State Street. Ann Arbor 48109-1354. telephone: 734.764.0395
QATAR
Shirin Neshat : Afterwards
The first solo exhibition in the region of the Iranian artist Shirin Neshat. The exhibition introduces a group of new and existing works along with interventions including the photographic series, The Book of Kings (2011), Our House is on Fire (2013) as well as the video installation, Turbulent (1998) that build relationships between ancient mythologies and contemporary events that are challenging our lives.
The work of Shirin Neshat explores the relationship between ancient history and the politics of the present narrated through a strong visual language referencing the primal concepts of violence, passion and love in universal history. The artist proposes a different perspective on this collective history, using images that reflect the paradox of beauty and violence.
Until February 15, 2015
LOS ANGELES
Seventh Annual Farhang Film Festival
The 2015 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival has officially been announced.
Calling on individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to submit short films visualizing some aspect of Iranian art, culture, and heritage, Farhang Foundation’s annual online short film festival offers contestants the opportunity to compete for $10,000 (first prize), $5,000 (second prize), and $3,000 (third prize).
“Since our first festival, we have been honored to have presented close to $100,000 in cash prizes to talented filmmakers with a passion for Iranian culture. But what they give back to us through their films and stories is truly priceless,” said Mark Amin, Farhang’s Film Festival committee Chair, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to be hosting this festival for the seventh year in a row and look forward to the many wonderful submissions we will soon be receiving.”
The submissions period ends on January 15, 2015. The award ceremony, during which the winning submissions will be screened before a live audience, will take place on March 21, 2015 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The evening will also include a red-carpet arrival, extensive media coverage of the event and the participating contestants, and a reception following.
For more information, including submission guidelines and deadlines, past winning films and filmmakers and much more, please visit the official Festival website at FarhangFilmFest.org.