The much anticipated group exhibition TEHRAN – NEW YORK will open at Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller (LTMH) Gallery on March 5 from 6-8 p.m. and will run through April 1, 2010. TEHRAN – NEW YORK will survey work by 40 well-known and emerging contemporary Iranian artists – including artists living in New York and the United States such as Shoja Azari, Shiva Ahmadi, Negar Ahkami, Shirin Neshat and Y.Z. Kami – as well as the work of artists currently living in Tehran, such as Reza Derakshani, Shadi Ghadirian and Farideh Lashai. A significant portion of the work has never been shown in the U.S. A catalogue will accompany the exhibition.

The exhibition is presented in conjunction with ART MIDDLE EAST, a series of exhibitions and cultural programs focusing on cutting-edge contemporary art of the Middle East, debuting during Armory Arts Week (March 3-7) throughout New York City.

Through paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, installation, and video painting, TEHRAN – NEW YORK will explore synergies and differences among the work of Iranian artists living in Iran and the U.S. The exhibition does not aim to define Iranian art, but rather to examine the unique visions that exist among Iranian artists, while encouraging a much-needed place for dialogue. However great the distance, there are always loose ties that unite these artists across the globe. While many of the artists tackle the same political and social issues, the result is hugely varied due to the different perspectives of the geographically dispersed group.

The artists in TEHRAN – NEW YORK include: Samira Abbassy, Negar Ahkami, Shiva Ahmadi, Amir-Hossein Akhavan, Afruz Amighi, Shoja Azari, Maryam Bayat, Majeed Beenteha, Bahar Behbahani, Ali Chitsaz, Reza Derakshani, Hossein Edalatkhah, Aylene Fallah, Mehdi Farhadian, Roya Farassat, Siamak Filizadeh, Shadi Ghadirian, Darioush Gharahzad, Ramin Haerizadeh, Khosrow Hassanzadeh, Bahman Jalali, Rana Javadi, Y.Z. Kami, Shahram Karimi, Farideh Lashai, Pooneh Maghazehe, Niki Manray, Mahmoud Bakhshi Moakhar, Nazar Moosavinia, Farhad Moshiri, Shirin Neshat, Nicky Nodjoumi, Farah Ossouli, Soody Sharifi, Arman Stepanian, Taravat Talepasand, Sadegh Tirafkan, Hamila Vakili, and Darius Yektai.

A brunch and artist talk for TEHRAN – NEW YORK, moderated by Sam Bardaouil, will be held at the LTMH Gallery in conjunction with ART MIDDLE EAST on Sunday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The talk will begin at 12 noon. To R.S.V.P., please contact the LTMH Gallery at 212-249-7695 or [email protected]