Orange County Register

“Virgin No. 71,” an oil on canvas by Makan Emadi. On view at the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana.

We’ve heard about and seen images from the unrest in the streets of Iran after the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

But have we heard much about Iranian contemporary art?

It seems to be the new big thing, with the struggles in the homeland headlining international news, and the creative projects of the diaspora coming into increasing focus. Art shows have opened across the country and the world, from New York to London, Paris, Vienna and Athens.

Shirin Neshat may be one of the more recognizable names out there. The video artist won a Golden Lion award at the Venice Biennale in 1999, and a Silver Lion for Director at the Venice Film Festival in September. There’s a feature in Art in America about her in the June issue.

In fact, the November issue of Art in America has a cover feature about Iranian art, although I couldn’t find it online.

Here in Orange County, the Grand Central Art Center is presenting “Hidden Wounds, Paper Bullets: Iranian Contemporary Art.” The group show opened Nov. 7 and runs through Jan. 10, 2010.

Artists in that show are: Yari Ostovany, Alina Mnatsakanian, Hadieh Shafie, Taraneh Hemami, Max Emadi and Aydin Aghdashloo. Most of them live in the U.S. now, although Aghdashloo still lives in Tehran.

A bunch of scholars and guests spoke during the opening, and there was a performance by artist Mnatsakanian.

On Dec. 5 from 5-6 p.m., there will be a panel discussion with scholars from Pepperdine University. On Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., the Grand Central Art Center will continue with its “Iran and Contemporary Cinema” series.

All events and admission are free. Check out www.grandcentralartcenter.com for details.

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