Iranian sculptor Tanavoli to share experience at U.S. institute

TEHRAN,Feb.16(MNA) -- Acclaimed Iranian sculptor Parviz Tanavoli will relate his experiences as a modern Iranian artist during a conversation with the Asia Society, a U.S. institute promoting cultural ties between Asia and the United States. He will have a conversation with the society’s Vice President Melissa Chiu which will be aired live on AsiaSociety.org/Live on February 27. Melissa Chiu is Director of the Asia Society Museum in New York and Vice President of the Society’s Global Arts Programming. She was appointed director in 2004 after serving for three years as the Museum’s first curator of contemporary Asian and Asian American art. During the program, Tanavoli as one of Iran’s foremost artists will talk about his journey as Iran’s first significant modern sculptor. A central figure in the formation of the Saqqakhaneh School - a neo-traditional style of art that derives inspiration from Iranian folk art and culture - Tanavoli has created works in bronze, ceramic, fiberglass and scrap metal. Tanavoli will also discuss his early years as an artist, later as head of the sculpture department at the University of Tehran and his passion about Iran’s artistic heritage and craftsmanship, including rugs, locks and metalwork. “The program has an international aspect and I am happy that I will be able to speak in such a program as a representative of Iranian artists,” he told. The Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. We seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts and culture. Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Korea, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington, DC.