'Wishes And Dreams'

"View From The Garden" (acrylic on canvas, 2005) by Farid Jahangir (RFE/RL) - WASHINGTON, June 14, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Despite tensions between the United States and Iran, the Meridian International Center in Washington, in partnership with Tehran University Art Gallery, has organized an exhibition titled "Wishes And Dreams: Iran's New Generation Emerges." It includes the work of 30 artists between the ages of 22 and 40 to reflect Iran's sizable young population.

1 "View From The Garden" (acrylic on canvas, 2005) by Farid Jahangir (RFE/RL) - WASHINGTON, June 14, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Despite tensions between the United States and Iran, the Meridian International Center in Washington, in partnership with Tehran University Art Gallery, has organized an exhibition titled "Wishes And Dreams: Iran's New Generation Emerges." It includes the work of 30 artists between the ages of 22 and 40 to reflect Iran's sizable young population.

"Bird In Flight" (mixed media, 2007) by Nargess Hashemi (RFE/RL) - The show includes works from the contemporary art scene in Iran, including abstraction, portraiture, minimalism, and installation and video art. "Wishes And Dreams" is the first Iranian art exhibit sponsored by the U.S. government. The exhibition will be on display in Washington until late July, when it moves on to other U.S. cities on a tour that will continue into 2008.

2 "Bird In Flight" (mixed media, 2007) by Nargess Hashemi (RFE/RL) - The show includes works from the contemporary art scene in Iran, including abstraction, portraiture, minimalism, and installation and video art. "Wishes And Dreams" is the first Iranian art exhibit sponsored by the U.S. government. The exhibition will be on display in Washington until late July, when it moves on to other U.S. cities on a tour that will continue into 2008.

"Nature" (mixed media on canvas, 2006) by Farnush Ahmadishirazi (RFE/RL) - Established in 1960, Meridian International Center is a nonprofit institution that promotes international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas, and the arts. "Wishes and Dreams" is a follow-up to a major 2001 Meridian exhibition from Iran called "A Breeze from the Gardens of Persia," which featured the work of more-established artists.

3 "Nature" (mixed media on canvas, 2006) by Farnush Ahmadishirazi (RFE/RL) - Established in 1960, Meridian International Center is a nonprofit institution that promotes international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas, and the arts. "Wishes and Dreams" is a follow-up to a major 2001 Meridian exhibition from Iran called "A Breeze from the Gardens of Persia," which featured the work of more-established artists.

Secretary Rice visited the exhibition on May 10. The works are scheduled to tour nine U.S. cities (RFE/RL) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended the opening, an event that the State Department said is aimed at promoting cultural ties with Iran. In brief remarks, Rice avoided any reference to the rift between the United States and Iran -- a rift that has widened with the imprisonment in Tehran of prominent U.S.-Iranian scholars and the virtual house arrest of Radio Farda correspondent Parnaz Azima.

4 Secretary Rice visited the exhibition on May 10. The works are scheduled to tour nine U.S. cities (RFE/RL) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended the opening, an event that the State Department said is aimed at promoting cultural ties with Iran. In brief remarks, Rice avoided any reference to the rift between the United States and Iran -- a rift that has widened with the imprisonment in Tehran of prominent U.S.-Iranian scholars and the virtual house arrest of Radio Farda correspondent Parnaz Azima.

"When We Were Both Alone" (oil on canvas, 2005) by Samira Eskandarfar (RFE/RL) - "I have so enjoyed seeing the work of these great artists," Secretary Rice said. "They are representing so well the great culture that Iran has, the great culture that goes back for so many centuries but that is being brought here today so that the American people can see another side of Iran."

5 "When We Were Both Alone" (oil on canvas, 2005) by Samira Eskandarfar (RFE/RL) - "I have so enjoyed seeing the work of these great artists," Secretary Rice said. "They are representing so well the great culture that Iran has, the great culture that goes back for so many centuries but that is being brought here today so that the American people can see another side of Iran."

"White Shadow" (oil on canvas, 2006 ) by Maryam Farhang Jahromi (RFE/RL) - Nancy Matthews, vice president of Meridian and exhibit co-curator, made two weeklong trips to Tehran to help select the artwork that would be represented, working with the Tehran University Art Gallery. Matthews calls art "a great communicator," adding, "As one Iranian friend said to me, 'Art speaks a golden language.'" Matthews says Meridian hopes to send an exhibition of American art to Iran.

6 "White Shadow" (oil on canvas, 2006 ) by Maryam Farhang Jahromi (RFE/RL) - Nancy Matthews, vice president of Meridian and exhibit co-curator, made two weeklong trips to Tehran to help select the artwork that would be represented, working with the Tehran University Art Gallery. Matthews calls art "a great communicator," adding, "As one Iranian friend said to me, 'Art speaks a golden language.'" Matthews says Meridian hopes to send an exhibition of American art to Iran.

"Compression" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Pooya Aryanpour (RFE/RL) - The Iranian artists toured Washington museums and galleries and met with local artists before traveling to New York and Kansas City. Meridian's recently elected president, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, said the exhibit would "help our citizens better understand the Iranian people and appreciate the many interests we share."

7 "Compression" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Pooya Aryanpour (RFE/RL) - The Iranian artists toured Washington museums and galleries and met with local artists before traveling to New York and Kansas City. Meridian's recently elected president, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, said the exhibit would "help our citizens better understand the Iranian people and appreciate the many interests we share."

"City 6" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Omid Rooshenas (RFE/RL) - Fourteen of the artists in the exhibition are participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Several of the artists joined Secretary Rice in the exhibition galleries and discussed their pieces; others declined the opportunity.

8 "City 6" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Omid Rooshenas (RFE/RL) - Fourteen of the artists in the exhibition are participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Several of the artists joined Secretary Rice in the exhibition galleries and discussed their pieces; others declined the opportunity.

"Two Bowls" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Mehdi Sharifi (RFE/RL) - Afshin Pihrashemi is among the 14 artists who traveled to United States. Pirashemi was born in Orumie, in northeast Iran, and speaks Azerbaijani as well as Persian. He told RFE/RL that he is greatly inspired by Iran's ancient history and traditions.

9 "Two Bowls" (acrylic on canvas, 2006) by Mehdi Sharifi (RFE/RL) - Afshin Pihrashemi is among the 14 artists who traveled to United States. Pirashemi was born in Orumie, in northeast Iran, and speaks Azerbaijani as well as Persian. He told RFE/RL that he is greatly inspired by Iran's ancient history and traditions.

"Rumi In My Chalice" (mixed media, 2007) by Shahmir Ahmadi (RFE/RL) - Many of the artists, including Pirhashemi, spoke of the inspiration provided by 13th-century Iranian poet Jelaluddin Rumi.

10 "Rumi In My Chalice" (mixed media, 2007) by Shahmir Ahmadi (RFE/RL) - Many of the artists, including Pirhashemi, spoke of the inspiration provided by 13th-century Iranian poet Jelaluddin Rumi.

"Dream Of A Woman (oil on canvas 2004) by Afshin Pirhashemi (RFE/RL) - Artist Behnam Kamrani, who produces mystical digital and video art and teaches university students, said he thinks "art and culture is ahead of politics." He added, "Through cultural and artistic exchanges we can bring people together." (Text and photos by Radio Farda correspondent Kambiz Hosseini)

11 "Dream Of A Woman (oil on canvas 2004) by Afshin Pirhashemi (RFE/RL) - Artist Behnam Kamrani, who produces mystical digital and video art and teaches university students, said he thinks "art and culture is ahead of politics." He added, "Through cultural and artistic exchanges we can bring people together."
(Text and photos by Radio Farda correspondent Kambiz Hosseini)

Accessibility links

Follow Us

'Wishes And Dreams'