Democratic National Convention

We have been chosen to display our installation at the Democratic National Convention! What an important venue for us! Perhaps the Democratic candidate for president will have been chosen by then, but perhaps not. In my view, there is at least one dramatic difference between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama: their attitude toward Iran. Obama has said that he is open to conversation with President Ahmadinejad. Clinton has said that with regard to Iran, "no option can be taken off the table," which presumably includes military action or even a nuclear strike on Teheran! If a candidate is to be chosen at the Democratic National Convention, I want the delegates to be able to see the humanity of the people of Iran.

NASCAR

We have secured a spot at the Talladega Super Speedway for the Amp Energy 500 in October. Not a traditional venue for an art installation, I'm sure! But we wish to reach out to our audience, wherever they may be. What better way to reach a potential audience of more than 100,000 people!

Perhaps I'm a little ignorant about certain elements of American culture. When I say that we will be showing portraits of Iranians at a NASCAR event, the most common response seems to be that I must be very foolish! Perhaps I am naive, but I hope that all Americans would be interested to lay eyes on their counterparts in Iran.

Republican National Convention

We are trying very hard to secure a space at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, but the convention organizers are not making it easy! Strange, since I thought the American constitution guarantees the right to express yourself... But I have been accused of being naive!

Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas has taken us under their wing. This means that those wishing to help sponsor our work can make a tax-deductible donation to Fractured Atlas! They can even donate through Fractured Atlas' website: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/contribute/donate

Persepolis (the movie)

Thank you, Sony pictures, for bringing Marjane Satrapi's brilliant "Persepolis" to the United States. I had the pleasure of watching her autobiographical graphic novel brought to the cinema in an American multiplex! I wish that every American was able to see this excellent, informative, witty movie.

For those of you who do not know her story, Satrapi grew up in Teheran during the time of the Iranian revolution. She offers a candid, first-hand account of her experience of having her system of government change dramatically, and of a terrible war with a neighboring country -- something that Americans can only imagine. She tells the story with humor and insight. I hope that my show can be even halfway as truthful and moving as "Persepolis."

Manjushri Project

I have just learned that the Manjushri Project would like to partner with me to put on a touring version of "picture of you: Images from Iran." How wonderful! This brings "pictures of you: Images from Iran" a full-time staff of four, and the help of many additional members.

The collaboration of the Manjushri Project opens up a long list of possibilities that I have been only imagining until now. The Manjushri Project will assist me in finding venues, financing, and additional collaborators, but will leave the artistic vision up to me! I have already explained to them that in my mind, the venues, financing, and every other piece of the project IS the art of it, as much as my photographs and the ideas that I am hoping to express.

Are you wondering where their name comes from? You're not alone! Manjushri is a Buddhist deity who cuts through illusion to reveal the truth. He does this in order to allow all beings to achieve enlightenment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manjusri

Know Your Candidates

I believe the upcoming U.S. presidential election will be a pivotal one in Iranian-American relations. Fortunately, current events have required each candidate to articulate a position on Iran. Unfortunately, most candidates express a bellicose attitude toward Iran. Barack Obama seems to be the only candidate expressing an interest in diplomacy, as opposed to inflammatory rhetoric. With U.S. troops on the ground in two of Iran's neighbors, one of which has a Shia majority, the risk of rapid escalation is very real. I fear that candidates who stake out a bellicose position now have not given themselves enough room to maneuver the complex situation as it unfolds.

As always, you can click on the title of this post to see the article which inspired it.