Installing "Shortcut to the Silk Road" exhibit

My first solo exhibition in the U.S could not have occurred at a better time. We just learned that Sanctions against Iran has been removed. Iran is the talk of every conversation and I get to share my art at the same time. Setting up this exhibit has been hard and could not have been possible without the  help of  amazing staff at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts have been so supportive and enthusiastic of the upcoming show. Whitney Valentine, the lovely Exhibition Manager of the center has put together some great events coming up for me to be able to share my vision with you all. We have done interviews with CareerLine Tech Center. The interview will be shown on the wall outside of main gallery. As you walk in the space, you will see a free hand sketched map of the ancient Silk Road where some of my pieces could be seen across its length. Influenced by the title of the exhibit, I have used Saffron and Tea as colors in some of the pieces; these were some of the main elements traveled across the Silk Road from Persia. As you go further,  you will see walls covered with the word "LOVE" in Farsi. I was born during Iran's Revolution year. As a child I remember seeing lots of graffiti as political protest decorating the walls of buildings in Tehran. Activists made their statements under the cover of darkness on the walls all over the city. The scrawling of political statements in public has occurred for generations and is still visible under the current government.

I've always believed in the power of writing. Personally, it works for me as a source of affirmation. By scribing "LOVE" over and over again in this space, I hope to circulate more positive energy. I wish to use the power of this word to showcase one of the most influential elements in our lives. There are some Persian blue beads hanging from the ceiling; in lot of countries these are meant to take the evil eye away.

I invite you all to share your experience and tell us what you thought of the show. Instead of a guest book, we want you to share your thoughts on the wall in the main gallery. There will be markers located for you all to share your take on the exhibit. I also encourage you all to find the corner which speaks to you the most, snap a photo and share it on your social media.  Would be great if you could also tag myself and Saugatuck Center for the Arts, we can then use your photos for a trailer I will be making post this exhibit.

Bucket Feet Event at Soho House Chicago

During Art week at Soho House Chicago, another fun event was held.  We were given a pair of white shoes to paint on! Thanks to Bucketfeet, A Chicago based Company which was launched in 2011 after two strangers met in Argentina - an artist and a backpacker -. A pair of hand-drawn shoes inspired the idea of the company and showed the power of art bringing people together. Soho house members were provided a pair of Bucketfeet shoes to design. Amazing music, great atmosphere, lots of creative people, that is just a recipe to create something fun. And this is the result! The shapes are all from Persian (Islamic) designs and the Farsi calligraphy is a Rumi poem which translates into "When I found love I became immortal". Art week at Soho House Chicago has been such a fun and amazing week with lots of different and fun activities which brings all art lovers together.

Art week at Soho House Chicago

It's no secret that Soho House is the place for arts and artists but this week has been something really special. It's the art week at Soho House which means there is an interesting event on each day. This past Wednesday, January 21st, Damien Hirst's piece was unveiled. The piece spells "Chicago" with real butterflies and it is placed in the Allis Restaurant located on the main floor of the building. Hirst was born in 1965. He emerged as a leading figure in the young British Artists movement in the late 80s. He has shocked and surprised the art world with his unusual works. While not everyone was enthralled with his work, his biggest supporter was Charles Saatchi, advertising titan and art collector. Saatchi funded Damien Hirst's first works and also started collecting Hirst's pieces. But whilst his works, has been praised by many art critics throughout the years, he has been also condemned for killing animals in order to create his art. The Artist was landed in a row with RSPCA while exhibiting his work "In and out of love"  after it was revealed that more than 9,000 butterflies died during the 23 weeks of this exhibit in Tate back in 2012. It's understandable that there might be a bit of mixed feelings about his works and the medium that he uses but this should not stop you to go and see one of his pieces up close at Soho House Chicago.

http://www.damienhirst.com