TEHRAN -- A religious-themed artwork by the Iranian artist Charles Hossein Zenderudi will be discussed at the British Museum on May 12.
The artwork “Who Is This Hussein (AS) the World Is Crazy About?” is a large, linocut print on linen, which illustrates dramatic scenes from the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram.
The British Museum acquired the artwork, which was completed in 1958 by the renowned modern artist Zenderudi, in 2011.
In the presence of Zenderudi himself, a series of presentations will consider the work in detail and discuss his oeuvre more widely.
The Farjam Curator of Islamic Art at the British Museum Ladan Akbarnia will introduce and situate the work within the context of the Iranian passion play traditions.
The specialist in contemporary art Marie Rivière Zenderudi will place it within the wider context of his oeuvre. Following this will be a panel discussion chaired by Venetia Porter.
Afterward, the museum will present Abbas Kiarostami’s installation “Looking at Tazieh” (The Spectators).
Tazieh or the Iranian passion play recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales.
Independent curator and writer Vali Mahluji will introduce Kiarostami’s important installation during the event.
Kiarostami’s piece focuses on the gaze of the spectators watching a live Tazieh performance. The screening includes footage of the original passion play performance filmed by Kiarostami.
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