A Forum on Human Rights and Democracy in Iran - Gozaar: Celebrating Iranian Art in the British Museum

Celebrating Iranian Art in the British Museum
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mostofib on 13/05/2009 16:00:00

One of the most talked about exhibitions of the British Museum in London this
year is “Shah Abbas, The Remaking of Iran,” honoring the art of Safavid
Dynasty. The British press wrote many articles about the specifics of this
exhibition long before its opening.
This exhibition, featuring objects including: carpets, paintings, calligraphies,
and porcelain plates of Safavid reign, will go on until June 14 of this year. It
is arranged in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation. In addition to the
artifacts collected from different museums in England, it features loans from
the National Museum of Iran and other museums and libraries across the world –
such as the National Library of Russia.
Shah Abbas started a new era in Iran and expanded Shi’ism that was declared
the state religion of Iran during his predecessor, Shah Esmail Safavi. The
Director of the British Museum believes Shah Abbas brought back dignity to
Iranians and ushered in a golden period in the arts, commissioning beautiful
works of art. He believes Shah Abbas was the first representative of Iran in
Europe during the modern age, who put the wheels of trade with European
countries into motion and made Esfahan the center of trade with European,
Chinese and Indian merchants. Shakespeare, in Twelfth Night, calls Shah Abbas a
“Sufi.”
The grand architecture of Safavid era is also featured by the organizers of this
exhibition. Many slides are shown of the marvelous structures built in this
period such as Shah Mosque, Sheikh Lutf Allah Mosque, Imam Reza Shrine (the
eighth Imam of Shi’ites).  These slides  make Iranian visitors nostalgic and
foreigners awestruck.
One of the outstanding artifacts of this exhibition is the “Steel Pole” that
dazzles every visitor with its elegant design and beautiful brass calligraphy.
This piece is on loan from the Reza Abbasi Museum in Iran.
The exhibition also features many artifacts of this dynasty belonging to the
British Museum or British private collectors that Iranian researchers find quite
extraordinary. These are: “Brass Pitcher with long neck,” from the British
Museum, “Brass Candleholder” from a private collection of Yanni Petsopoulos
in London, both demonstrating this period’s delicate design and sketch on
metal, and the “Steel Sword” from the private collection of Dr. Robert
Elgood which signifies the blend of religion and art at that time.
The “Silver Cross of Jesus,” on loan from Vanak Museum of Esfahan, is in
another display of the religious art of this period– but this time not at the
service of Shi’ites. During the reign of Shah Abbas the Armenians settled in
Jolfa of Esfahan and created their own artifacts.
Another piece exhibited is a Koran signed by the third Imam of Shi’a
followers, Hossein the son of Ali. This Koran was endowed by Shah Abbas to the
mausoleum of the eighth Shi’a Imam.
During Safavid dynasty the cities of Mecca and Medina were under the dominance
of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore Shah Abbas decided to promote the pilgrimage of
the mausoleum of Ali Ebn Musa (Reza) in Mashhad instead of the annual pilgrimage
of Mecca. The main designer of today’s shrine of Imam Reza is the famous
artist, Ali Reza Abbasi, who built this monument during the reign of Shah Abbas.
Reza Abbasi and Mir Emad are the two great artists of this era whose work are
featured in this exhibition.
Other than porcelain plates that depict different aspects of artwork of this
period (and are loans from different museums), the miniatures of Reza Abbasi are
another admirable display of Iranian art. Also, a selection of calligraphic work
featured gives the visitors a broad picture of how this exclusive Iranian art
evolved.
The British Museum has printed a richly illustrated book by Sheila Canby that
accompanies this exhibition. Also, souvenirs like notebooks, cups, table-cloths,
pens and pen-holders with Safavid Dynasty designs are offered for sale to the
visitors.
There are other events that take place along with the exhibition, like a small
display of Khosrow Hassanzadeh’s installation, featuring an image of Gholam
Reza Takhti, Iranian icon and world champion.
The exhibition is also accompanied by many lectures and seminars about Iran’s
art.
Also, a comedy show by Hadi Khorsandi, an event for Norooz family celebration
and a documentary about Shah Abbas were included.
A few Iranian films like Crimson Gold,  Five in the afternoon, Persepolis, 
Grass, Divorce Iranian Style and The Color of Paradise are also featured during
this exhibition.