New York University will host “The Life and Art of Ardeshir Mohassess,” a conference (October 9-10) and exhibition (October 7-10) on the works of Ardeshir Mohassess (1938-2008), one of the most influential artists of contemporary Iran, at the Gallatin Galleries, 1 Washington Place (at Broadway). The conference and exhibition, which includes a selection of his late works, are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nicky Nodjoumi at nickynodjoumi7@yahoo.com or 917.496.8818.
The conference, chaired by NYU’s Ali Mirsepassi and Columbia University’s Ehsan Yarshater, will explore the artistic achievements of Mohassess and celebrate his lifelong devotion to illustrative art, as well as his concern for freedom and justice. The innovative style of the artist and his impact as a forthright social and political commentator on Iranian culture will be discussed by panelists and from a variety of perspectives and disciplines.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m.
Panel I: Mohassess through a Historical Perspective
Ulrich Marzolph (Akademie der Wissenschaften, Gottingen); Nahid Mozaffari (NYU); Dagmar A Riedel (Columbia University).
Panel II: Mohassess: His Art and Legacy
Reza Baraheni (writer and scholar; Canada); Nicky Nodjoumi (artist; New York), Shahriyar Mandanipur (writer; Boston); Shirin Neshat (artist; New York).
Panel III: Mohassess in Exile: (artist, intellectual and friend)
Houra Yavari (Columbia University); Firoz Nodjomi (Nassau Community College); Hadi Hazavei (artist and scholar; New York); Behrooz Moazami (Loyola University New Orleans).
Documentary: “Ardeshir, An Artist by Nature”
Preview of Bahman Maghsoodloo’s recently updated documentary on Ardeshir Mohassess; preceded by a short introductory talk.
Sunday, October 10, 11 a.m.
Panel IV: Mohassess: The Artist as Satirist and Social and Political Commentator
Abbas Amanat (Yale University); Peter J. Chelkowski (NYU); Majid Roushangar (California; writer and editor).
