Shirin neshat relates this ancient book to the arab spring and to the iranian green movement, which brought hundreds of thousands on to the streets all over iran in june 2009 in protest against the regime. Neshat, the courage to engage in political action is closely linked to an understanding of the. Shirin neshat, roja patriots, from the book of kings series, 2012, ink on. Shirin neshat is a contemporary iranian visual artist best known for her work in photography, video, and film such as her 1999 film rapture,which explore the relationship between women and the religious and cultural value systems of islam. Facing history takes a sweeping look at her output and will present her iconic blackandwhite photographic portraitswhich she discusses belowas well as her nonnarrative videos and her recent forays into cinema. In neshats book of kings series, fortyfive largescale, blackandwhite prints. Shirin neshat is an iranian artist based in new york. Shirin neshat provokes a more complex conversation about iran and the united states than has been possible in decades past. Gladstone gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art with locations in new york and brussels. Shirin neshats book of kings captures the faces of the arab spring. A retrospective of the thirtyodd year career of iranianamerican shirin neshat b. The exhibition features a new body of photography works and a video. Neshat employs and inscribes persian poetry to communicate contradiction.
A sense of mysticism pervades all of shirin neshats work, in the gentlest but. The book of kings, january february 11, 2012 archived june 27, 2012, at the wayback machine, gladstone gallery, new york. Internationally acclaimed artist shirin neshat takes on loaded themes in photography, film, and video works that delve into issues of gender, identity, and politics in muslim countries, and the relationship between the personal and political. The gladstone gallery and the faurschou foundation in beijing, china are just some of the art spaces that have had the pleasure of exhibiting shirin neshats the book of kings. The exhibition consisted of a total of 56 black and white photos framed in unmated and black frames that were hung across the two galleries. Similarly, book of kings brings to the foreground neshats continued concern with the loss of traditions that fall outside the islamist endorsements of cultural production. Written between 977 and 1010 ad, the persian book of kings, is irans great national epic poem that preserves the legendary and historic past of iran before its islamic conquest in the seventh century. Shirin neshat has 28 books on goodreads with 1615 ratings. Shirin neshat, roja patriots, from the book of kings series, 2012, ink on le. Her dissertation, from translation to transgression. Shirin neshat facing history is the companion volume to the smithsonians hirshhorn museum exhibition of the same name. Shirin neshats book of kings captures the faces of the.
One portrait on view, ibrahim 2012, belongs to a part of the book of kings series neshat calls the patriots. The faurschou foundation beijing is honored to present shirin neshats the book of kings. Suggested readings shirin neshat research guides at. Her film women without men 2009, which won the prestigious silver lion award at the venice film. Shirin neshats large photo series the book of kings is inspired by the 60,000verse poem shahnameh the book of kings from the eleventh century by the persian poet ferdowsi, today still the great narrative of persian history up to the islamic conquest of persia in the seventh century. But that is not the world that shirin neshat knows. Devines methodology includes critical writings on gender in islam and an islamist society, a sociopolitical. Facing history ho, melissa, afkhami, mahnaz, chiu, melissa on. However, book of kings, far from being a commentary on the relations between the us and iran, does not take sidesexcept with the iranian. Shirin neshat nida patriots, from the book of kings series, from ara. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Shirin neshat, offered eyes, from ara spring 2015 feature shirin neshat. Neshat inscribed the portrait with calligraphic verses in farsi from contemporary iranian poetry, giving the work a powerful effect.
Neshat at the hirshhorn late worksnew readings the. The book of kings, as told by shirin neshat iranwire. The feminisms of shirin neshat, offers a more nuanced understanding of neshat s work, exploring the history of veiling in iran, orientalist imagery, and the misunderstandings and misrepresentations of veiled women in the u. The figure meets the viewers gaze with his right hand placed over his heart. Neshats ibrahim patriots, from the book of kings series, 2012. Shirin neshat speaks about her retrospective at the. Neshat references a range of historic and contemporary metaphors.