Iranian of the Day

smart lady

cute too

SHIRIN NESHAT ARTIST AT DISTANCE

Years ago, her initial work was great and rightfully well received, it had brisk freshness of a body of work produced by a well trained glowing young artist. But now for the past years, she has mistakenly moved to film and it does not seem to be her medium, the films are truly dreadful, an attempt at mimickery of great minimalist filmmakers whose works deserve great admiration, but please not copying in the name of art. Hopefully you don't have to meet her in person; vane, sour and obsessed with words such as I, me, my and mine and again I. Her work does not represent us anymore; it is made for western audience, lacks sincerity and is a poor marketing attempt to rekindle a great body of work in the 1990s.

Oh And certainly More sincere & Genuine than Farhadi's Speech

In Berlin: 

Asghar Farhadi Triumphs As An Artist But Fails As A Citizen

Contrary to so many Pseudo Artists Neshat in No Phoney ...

She was to win the Prestigious Gish Prize in 2006

Gish Prize goes to Shirin Neshat - Los Angeles Times

The Gish Prize, established in 1994 by the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize Trust, pays tribute to artists who have "made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind's enjoyment and understanding of life." 

Overall a Very Good Speech Just One Ironic Observation ;0)

Her Film "Women Without Men" set during the time of the so called "Brutal Regime of the Shah" was entirely shot in that other so called "Brutal" North African Monarchy ... That of the Kingdom of Morocco:

Morocco protesters demand political change

Morocco's King Mohammed VI pledges constitutional reform

ROYAL FORUM: Morocco's Steady Path Towards Democracy

No One is Perfect Shirin Jaan ;0)

ROYAL ACCOUNTABILITY: Crown Prince Reza Praises Mossadegh's Patriotism (ANDISHEH TV)

ROYAL ACCOUNTABILITY: Crown Prince Reza on Torture During His Father's Rule

But In all fairness this was a very good Speech !

BRAVO !

BRAVO MESDAMES!: Aghdashloo, Neshat, Reza and Farahani Shined Through 2009 Summer Season's International Awards by Darius KADIVAR

Recommended Blogs:

THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY: How Would You Evaluate Iran's Democracy Index in 1953 ?

In the following two blogs contain Poetess Shahrnush Parsipur ( author or Women without Men) interview with Luna Shah where She speaks about difference of treatment between SAVAK and SAVAMA, the IRI's secret Police:

Shahrnush Parsipur interviewed by Luna Shad

Alleged SAVAK Victim testifies on an American Liberal TV

Other Recommended Readings:

"America So Beautiful": Babak Shokrian's bitter sweet look on the American Dream by Darius KADIVAR

Banned Hollywood Dream: Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani troubled over a Body of Lies By Darius KADIVAR

Iranian Pioneers in French Cinema by Darius KADIVAR

PARTNERS ON LOLITA by Darius KADIVAR

What a class act

Thank you Shirin.  Just as you get your strength from women inside Iran, we, the Iranian men, are in awe of our Iranian women. 

Good Point Arthimis.

Truth does seem a little far a reach at this stage, yet I feel, ultimately the truth is the only path that can lead to freedom for Iran.  And freedom isn't looking great either.

In a way I see many sad things when I meet the younger generation of iranians in london in their teens, trying to get educated abroad while their families are all in Iran.

They are morally in trouble, they have little problem lying, stealing money, robbing etc and it's sadly common, I know they have faced a traumatic harsh life and I now they are screaming for help in their unnecessary actions, there are alternative systems of support available to them in the west. 

I wish their fate changes and so they can enjoy the fun side of life.

"Art is our weapon"

 Memorable quote!

This one was great too.

"Every Iraninan artist in one form or another is political."

Great Artist & a Great

Great Artist & a Great Speech...

As far as her knowledge of historical facts goes, well, she is not accurate! And to her defense and in fact not a single Iranian really is...

We have been lied and been wronged for so long and on so many level as a nation ( and I mean for centuries...) that we have learnt to become a bit dillusional ourselves... (sometimes a lot more!!!) we make up a lot of stories and seldom if ever admit the TRUTH! They say, "Truth shall set you free" but as a nation, we have so much ego and narcissism that in order to be right and serve our own individual interests , we are willing to NOT BE FREE as a whole!!!!

The perfect example was when our so called intellectuals & educated followed and supported a "Phsychotic Man" called Khomeini in 1978-79!!  What could we have expected from the ordinary uneducated Iranians ???

Unfortunately, The story still continues now in 2011! Unbelievable level of treason by few million so called Iranians inside and outside Iran... Working for their own personal benefits (position, title, money & convinience....) & consequently for their foreign bosses in the east and the west who never want to see a prosperous Iran and Iranians.........

Despite few of her historical and factual inaccuracies about Iran, like many of you, I for one also very much respect and admire "Shirin Neshat" and all those people like her who come out in open and DEFY a CRIMINAL regime like Islamic Republic & all the criminal people who work, collaborate and support it ...

"TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE"

Free Iran and Iranians 

Naive audience

I try to be legally correct as much as possible.........there is some evidence of lucrative deals being made between some monarchists and some agents of the IRI in off shore locations............I'll say no more...........

I like her.

I may not agree with the Femenism as an idealogy but I am proud of her. Good speech and good presentaion, well done!

If you have to lie in order to make a point...

Some would say you really don't have an honest point to make at all.

Something that clouds the vews of Iranians to this day is the propaganda of the past.  And books that are basically, completely lies.

We need to know the truth regarding 1953, the failure of operation Ajax Tudeh, and the real people who brought the Shah back to power.

It is an agenda more than anything else to say that the USA and UK removed Mossadegh and replaced him with the Shah, ending Irans first hope for democracy, during the cold war.

Put truthfully democracy was not blossoming anywhere on the entire planet during the cold war that was not practicing it before.  Shah had the full support of the wealthy land owners, the military and the mullahs.  His opposition was the Tudeh groups organized and funded from outside Iran in the USSR.  Hence the desire of the USA to Ajax Tudeh= wipe out the communists.

US efforts were a complete failure, though for political reasons both the US and British wanted to have some credit.  Practically and factually they failed in their attempts and weeks later it was the Iranians in the military under the orders of the Shah with no foreign help that organized what was the effective coup that knocked out mossadegh.

It really was the internal politics of Iran that effortlessly brought him back to power after mossadegh usurped power that had not been granted to him and tried to depose the king.

So really Neshat isn't exactly following the Truth when she blames the UK and USA for 1953, something that actually today both the USA and UK propaganda is saying its true (even though it's not).

  Today the USA/UK have an entirely different agenda and that is to portray the Shah as unpatriotic and the tool of foreign powers... that was how they went aganst the shah in 1979 when Carter helped khomeini come to power.

Ever since the USA/UK discovered that they could not prevent the economic or social development of Iran under the Shah, who was an autocrat and since they were against irans progress they focus on 1953 from the disingenuous point of view.

Political Enlightenment for Iran is not the day Iran becomes a democracy, it is when Iranians realize and become aware why the west opposed the Shah and why they adore islam for Iran and will keep some form of it in power as long as the USA and UK can.

They don't want to see Iranians free, in peace, developed, progressing, the same way they don't way it for Russia, but in Russia's case the people realize this and they realize the benefits of supporting an autocracy until they are capable of achieving results with other institutions.  Thats why russians will be in the top 5 wealthiest nations in 10 years, like iran would have been in the 1980's.

Annd in 10 years we all know exactly where iran will be, versus where it could be, as we have already prived once before, with an autocratc shah.

Someone to be proud of

I met her at her film presentation in London and her book signing. She came across as a very likable genuine person. She is very proud of her Art ( as I found out when I asked a rather controversial question!) but her general manner is down to Earth. 

As an artist, she is the first Iranian Artist who became internationally recognized and known as a major Artist.

She deserves her recognition, each moment of her film as an individual image could be a stand alone work of Art.

At one stage I thought she could end up suffering from what I call the bridget riley syndrom i.e. get copied so much that her work dissolves, so she needs to continue to invent in order to stay in the centre of Art work. I would welcome seeing fresh work from her. 

Common knowledge?

So "common knowledge" among "normal people" is that if you work with someone that is monarchist then automatically you are a staunch monarchist? Is that why she made a movie about represion during shahs coup during Mosadeq times Irans (Zanan bedoon mardan)? She has never in her talks taken a clear political position, not even against IRI. She is outspoken democrat but she has never clearly talked in favor of any form of government in Iran. If you have any such information please share this "common knowledge".

And so what if she is monarchist? Does she become suspect or guilty of anything then? I am not monarchist myself but I do not have any problems with monarchists as long as they are open to criticizing shah and his family. 

Another thing just how old do you think Neshat is that she collaborated during coup in Iran? 

Farnoosh, get a grip

1. It's a bit rich coming from a username to ask another username to post under their own name.

2.For your information, I have very good reason to use a username and it has to do with safety of others, mainly.

 3. I don't know what your personal problem is and I seriously do not want to know, except that I think it is a good idea for you to stop typing ridiculous accusations and learn to read.

4. Please, stop projecting very seriously idiotically cheap emotions into my posts. In all seriousness, any 'normal' person will wonder what you are on about.

I merely questioned the speaker's speech! It's an ordinary thing to do in a normal , democratic society and Shirin knows this.

5. I do not do pretense of any sort. This might be very difficult to grapple with for your ilk, but I just don't. 

6. Really, shame on you.

Do you seriously think that you show great respect for the people featured by continuously yapping about me?  

choghok jan - obviously never

! :)

So very proud of Shirin Neshat

Shirin Neshat is a remarkable artist and a very special Iranian American--one who has always spoken about Iran and Iranians with kindness, pride, and love.  What an impeccable and moving speech this is!  I will share it.

ComraidsConcubine:  there you go again.  You are attacking yet another Iranian artist.  Stop hating other Iranians and other artists or at least use your real name when attacking artists with real names.

JJ:  Is it acceptable to you that ComraidsConcubine makes such vicious and libelous accusations against Shirin Neshat? 

Yolanda: Shirin Neshat lives with her partner Shoja Azari, who is a well-known director.

choghok

In the event that your post was partly addressing my comment, although I had made no mention of 'royalist', this is my response. 

She is a staunch monarchist as is her main NY dealer*. Please, take your own advice and do what you call 'research', for  what amongst 'normal' people goes as 'common knowledge'. 

Evidently, it's going to be the usual hamsters' cage around here, with no debate and I'm outtahere

*P.S. The very twisted funny bit would be to trace monies in Dubai and see to what degree these monarchists profit with top-notch IRI businesses, as many of them do. Do I know that they do for certain? Of course not: they are Iranian and I just wouldn't put it passed them.

A great Iranian woman....

....to be proud of .

.......

A very brave, sophisticated, intelligent, patriotic, beautiful, and graceful lady!

Great speech!

P.S. Her husband is Korean! She must know many different cultures!

For Your Info She Ain't related to General Neshat

Nor is she a monarchist ... 

Which is her right ...

Nobody is Perfect ;0) 

When do we Iranians learn

to think before we talk?

Shirin Neshat was a daughter of  physician from Qazvin and not daughter of any major. Do some small research before passing any judgment if she is royalist or not. When do we learn? 

P.S. When?

 When will monarchists, such as herself, when referring to the 1953 coup, admit to their collaboration,  instead of deliberating white-washing incessantly?

Human Integrity ...

And proud dignity, traites she inherited from her late father, Major General Ali Neshat, may he rest in peace.  Great speach, thank you Ms. Neshat, your father would have been proud of you as we are.

Payandeh Iran, our Ahuraie Fatherland

Question

 Why does, 'what is considered the best Iranian art work' come out of present-day Iran, including that of very many females who live and work in Iran?

Neshat Is very professional, Intelligent Artist Who

Takes her work seriously.  Her Speech was impeccable.  I love her & her work.  I am so proud of her.

A+

excellent speech. show your friends.