LACMA Exhibition Explores Iranian Art Amid Trump Travel Ban
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is hosting an exhibition titled "In the Fields of Empty Days," which showcases Iranian art spanning from antiquity to contemporary pieces. Curated by Linda Komaroff, the exhibit features over 125 works from more than 50 artists, including Shirin Neshat and Parviz Tanavoli. Highlights include Safavid manuscripts and Qajar photographs, with approximately 60 pieces drawn from LACMA's own collection. The exhibition, which runs until September 9, 2018, is set against the backdrop of Trump's travel ban, preventing many Iranian artists from attending the opening.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'In the Fields of Empty Days' at LACMA explores Iranian art from antiquity to contemporary.
- Over 50 artists and 125 works are featured.
- Curated by Linda Komaroff, head of Middle Eastern Art at LACMA.
- About 60 works are from LACMA's permanent collection, many acquired for the show.
- Includes Safavid manuscripts, Qajar photographs, and works from the Pahlavi era through the Islamic Revolution.
- Shirin Neshat's 'The Book of Kings' series (2012) references the Shahnameh and Arab Spring.
- Trump's travel ban on Iran and other Muslim-majority countries provides political context.
- Artists residing in Iran could not attend the opening due to travel restrictions.
- LACMA director Michael Govan cited frustration with international loan restrictions.
- Exhibition runs through September 9, 2018, at LACMA.
Entities
Artists
- Pouya Afshar
- Fereydoun Ave
- Siamak Filizadeh
- Shadi Ghadirian
- Ramin Haerizadeh
- Shirin Neshat
- Parviz Tanavoli
- Newsha Tavakolian
- Kaveh Golestan
- Koushna Navabi
- Nourredin Zarrinkelk
- Asad Faulwell
- Taravat Talepasand
- Hakim Abul-Qasim Mansur (Ferdowsi Tusi)
Institutions
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Artribune
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Iran
- Russia
- 5905 Wilshire Boulevard