“This show is about an art that wilfully blends time and obscures place, rather than conforming to the linear narrative that we associate with traditional art history”, stated Linda Komaroff, curator of Islamic art and department head of Art of the Middle East. “Its goal is to portray ideas of identity, politics, faith, history, and culture that help define the remarkably diverse artistic heritage of Iran as viewed through the lens of time”, she continued.

With a collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, illustrations, videos, and more, the show will explore how the past and the present intertwine – some artworks range from the 16th century to our present day. Some of the artists exhibiting are Shirin Neshat, Ramin Haerizadeh, Newsha Tavakolian, Siamak Filizadeh, and Shadi Ghadirian, whom have been working for the past years and have become renowned figures within the art world.

“LACMA has one of the most significant collections of Islamic art in the world. And over the last decade, we have expanded our collecting parameters to include contemporary works by artists from, or with roots in, the Middle East, giving us the largest such collection in America. Together, these two collecting areas help to demonstrate the complex and pivotal relationship between historical and contemporary art, making LACMA the ideal institution for a first-of-its-kind exhibition on the past and present in Iranian art”, has said the museum’s CEO, Michael Govan. So, now that you know, be sure not to miss this unique exhibition, on view until the 9th of September.