My Heart Is in the East, and I Am at the Ends of the West is the first of two inaugural exhibitions at Shulamit Gallery, which explore the contemporary Iranian Jewish story. Both exhibitions are held in collaboration with the Fowler Museum, whose re-adapted Light and Shadows exhibition, first organized by Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, Israel, will focus specifically on LA's Iranian community. As Museum Director Marla Berns explains, "The Fowler is known for doing projects that effectively connect local communities with their heritage, and, in the case of Light and Shadows, [...] the exhibit is situated in Westwood, in the heart of Los Angeles' Westside, with its strong Iranian-American presence." Light and Shadows is anticipated to be a wide-reaching exhibition with program partnerships stretching across the city. In addition to the Shulamit Gallery, participating venues include the Hammer Museum; The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles; the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel and the Young Research Library, UCLA.

Using artist as guide, My Heart Is in the East is a chance to explore questions of hybrid and multi-layered identities. What does it mean to be in exile? What is our relationship to the city or country in which we live? Is it possible to maintain a positive national identity while fleeing persecution? Is the place in which one seeks refuge ever truly home? The work of Iranian Jewish artists, Farid Kia, Laura Merage, Soraya Sarah Nazarian and Jessica Shokrian all attempt to answer these complex questions. They embrace a romantic ideal of a birthplace: where colors radiated with greater intensity, where flowers smelled sweeter, where spices were more alluring, where melodies could move women to tears, and where family was everything. Yet, here in Los Angeles - the literal ends of the West - Iranian Jews have created new lives for themselves and their children within the largest Iranian expatriate community. Now, more than thirty years after the Revolution, they face the challenges that affect all immigrant populations - assimilation, acculturation, and intermarriage.

This exhibition also includes several historic pieces, which were displayed in Iranian homes and given as gifts to foreign dignitaries before the Revolution. They are on loan from the collection of Iranian silversmith Ben Mayeri (1914-2003). The mixing of contemporary art and historic objects serves to remind the viewer of nostalgic notions of home, and mirrors the display of cultural artifacts on exhibit at the Fowler Museum.

Together, viewers will vicariously traverse centuries of turmoil, discovering the characteristics that make the Iranian Jewish story both unique and universal. The artwork gathered here takes the audience on a voyage of self-discovery, ultimately in service of the most basic question of all: what does home mean to you?

My Heart Is in the East, and I Am at the Ends of the West is organized by the Shulamit Gallery. It is curated by Shula Nazarian, Owner and Director, and Anne Hromadka, Co-Director and coordinated by Shar�n Zoldan, Gallery Associate. The show is an official satellite exhibition of the Fowler's Light and Shadows: The Story of Iranian Jews.    

Thursday, November 29, 2012 [7:30 PM]

Fowler Museum at UCLA | 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, LA, CA 90095

Featuring dramatic readings and musical performances, "Saffron and Rosewater" is presented in collaboration with the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel and the Shulamit Gallery. 

CHEH KHABAR // WHAT'S NEW?

December 13, 2012 [7:00 - 9:00 PM]  

Shulamit Gallery | 17 N. Venice Blvd. LA, CA 90291

Inspired by Pecha Kucha Nights and Ted Talks, this series of Iranian artist presentations must answer the question: what's new? The evening will include live talks, performances and videos. Featured Artists: David Abir, Farid Kia, Laura Merage, Krista Nassi, Jessica Shokrian, Soraya Sarah Nazarian, Tal Shochat, Marjan Vayghan and others. 

HOME: TRUE STORIES FROM LA'S MUSLIMS AND JEWS

Details forthcoming

Intimate stories on the theme of "home:" organized by NewGround and co-sponsored by several other organizations, including Shulamit Gallery.

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About the Gallery 

Shulamit Gallery, founded by owner and director Shulamit Nazarian, began as a roaming gallery in the spring of 2006. Shulamit is pleased to be expanding to her first flagship space in Venice, California at 17 North Venice Boulevard, adjacent to the ocean. The Gallery supports work that is aesthetically innovative, socially engaged, and that fosters dialogue and views the artist as a cultural ambassador. Devoted to building bridges between our regional and global community, Shulamit Gallery focuses on the Middle East with a special interest in Israeli, Iranian and Jewish artists.

 

Shulamit Gallery is deeply rooted in the Persian value of mehman navaz, meaning hospitality. In Hebrew, this is expressed as hakhnasat orchim. The Gallery is a place where people from diverse communities are welcomed. Our programming explores the role of art and culture in assimilation, acculturation, personal identity, the shifting of geographical boundaries, and in how racism and religious persecution negatively impact our society. Shulamit Gallery strives to use art as a platform to create a more inclusive and hospitable future.

 

Khosh amadid! We look forward to welcoming you!

 

To learn more about the Gallery, exhibition schedule and programming, please visit our website: www.shulamitgallery.com

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM - 6PM and by appointment

Parking available at the parking structure on the south side of North Venice Boulevard, between Venice and Speedway; or the Public Beach Parking at the far west end of Venice Boulevard.