SoCiArts Productions co-produces this one of a kind photography exhibition entitled Exploring the Other: Contemporary Iran Through the lens of Iason Athanasiadis, as the community partner of CAFAM. The exhibition is scheduled for January 25 through March 29, 2009.
visit www.sociarts.com/exploringtheother or www.cafam.org
As the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution approaches, Exploring the Other offers an alternative narrative of the country famously included in the Axis of Evil by President George W. Bush. Through the vivid photography of international photojournalist Iason Athanasiadis, visitors will experience an Iran rarely seen in Western media: a land of paradox in its landscape, sacred rituals, and social customs. Irans numerous contradictions are revealed in stunning color and black and white photography: the snow-capped Elburz mountains; the vast Kavir Desert; traditional Islamic wedding rituals; a Tehran designers first fashion show. Due to the post-revolution baby boom—today, nearly 70% of Irans population is under 30—Iran's social fabric has become a mosaic of old and new as traditional culture is reinterpreted by a generation that is both enamored with global pop culture and passionate about its ancient Persian roots.
By approaching Iran from aesthetic and social viewpoints, Exploring the Other takes the focus off Irans politicians and realigns it squarely on the country and its people. Athanasiadis photographs challenge the conventional media narrative told about Iran and challenges visitors to question how media information is presented (and filtered).
Exploring the Other will be supported by a wealth of educational programming including lectures, book and poetry readings, film screenings, musical performances, and workshops—designed to provide visitors with a meaningful and more complete understanding of Iran. For more information about this program, please visit: http://www.sociarts.com/exploringtheother.
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