Exhibition Dates: January 25 – May 3, 2015Juried exhibition of contemporary photography and video gives a glimpse into contemporary life relating to Iran and the Iranian diaspora

Image: Life, Amir Behroozi, digital photograph, 2014. Courtesy of the artist

Farhang Foundation and the Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) present Focus Iran: Contemporary Photography and Video,a juried exhibition organized as a means to identify and expose emerging artists from around the world whose works reflected on aspects of Iranian culture or heritage. The breadth and impact of the open call resulted in 615 submissions from across Europe and North America, Iran, Australia, and Japan.

A final selection of 36 works by 33 artists was chosen by a panel of jurors immersed in the field of photography: Steven Albahari, publisher of 21st Editions; visual artist Ala Ebtekar; and Lucie Foundation Executive Director Cat Jimenez. Six video works were also selected, displaying skillful techniques in the short documentary format, as well as animation.

The selected artists: Sohrab Akhavan (USA), Mohammad Amin Nadi (Canada), Amir Behroozi (Iran), Ahmad Belbasi (Iran), Arash Bolouri (Iran), Yasmin Chegini (USA), Jovan Erfan (USA), Ramin Etemadi Bozorg (Iran), Majid Farahani (Iran), Marjan Farsad (Canada), Milad Haddadiyan (Iran), Mehdi Hawaii Sardehaii (USA), Judi Iranyi (USA), Shahrokh Jafari (USA), Morvarid K (France), Saeide Karimi (USA) and Siavash Yansori (USA), Atefeh Khas (Iran), Gelareh Kiazand (Turkey) and Kambiz Saffari (Iran), Wawrzyniec Kolbusz (Poland), Samira Kouhi (Iran), Shaghayegh Mazloom (Iran), Ali Mohammadi (Iran), Siamak Nasiri Ziba (USA), Grace Oh (USA), Omid Omidvari (Iran), Sepideh Salehi (USA), Jalal Shamsazaran (Iran), Sheida Soleimani (USA), Fazilat Soukhakian (USA), Ramin Talaie (USA), Marjan Vayghan (USA)

Special thanks to Presenting Donor Farhad & Nushin Mohit; Lead Donors Mark Amin, Haleh Emrani, and Ali C. & Anousheh Razi; Major Donors Hormoz & Fariba Ameri, Persian Tradition Wine, Printup Press & Graphics, Roshi Rahnama, and Michael & Katy Saei.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Iranian Photography: Past & Present
Sunday February 8, 2015 | 2:00 PM

Join Kaveh Baghdadchi, photographer and editor-in-chief of Akkasee.com (Iran’s most popular photography site) for a discussion of the history of photography in Iran, from the arrival of the camera in the Royal Court to present day. The program will be followed by a reception featuring Persian tea ceremony and traditional Persian music.

Event is FREE & open to public.
RSVP requested to rsvp@cafam.org

Picturing Home, A CraftLab Workshop: Fun for the whole family!
Sunday March 8, 2015 | 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Using the work of Focus Iran artists as a departure point, we will use images and collage to make portraits of “home” – whether that’s your house, a city where you used to live, or an imaginary home for the future.

$7 adults / $5 children/ CAFAM Museum Members FREE

Juror & Artists Discussion 
Sunday April 19, 2015 | 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Join exhibition juror Cat Jimenez, Executive Director of the Lucie Foundation, and a group of exhibiting artists for a conversation about the development of the exhibition and works on display. The artists participating in the discussion are: Sohrab Akhavan, Grace Oh, Mehdi Hawaii Sardehaii, Marjan Vayghan, and Siamak Nasiri Ziba.

Event is FREE & open to public.
RSVP requested to rsvp@cafam.org

Craft and Folk Art Museum
5814 Wilshire Boulevard | Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Tel 323.937.4230

CATALOG
A fully illustrated catalog accompanies the exhibition. Catalogs are available for purchase in the CAFAM Shop and online at CafamShop.org.

COMPETITION
For more information about the competition, its terms and conditions, and frequently asked questions please CLICK HERE.