Saturday, October 8
4:00 p.m.
James S. Copley Auditorium

Presented by the Persian Cultural Center, an annual fundraising event for the benefit of Arts of Iran at The San Diego Museum of Art. “Voices of Motherland” features the Afra Ensemble, with band leader Hossein Behroozinia and vocals by Faraj Alipour, Maliheh Moradi, and Fahimeh Mousavi.

The Afra Ensemble comprises an ongoing collaboration between Iranian musicians and vocalists to bring together the diverse musical and poetic traditions of Iran. This extraordinary group of performers is led by Hossein Behroozinia, a world-renowned oud player and recipient of the First Order of Arts, the highest honor in arts conferred by Iran’s Ministry of Culture. Guests will hear the vocal stylings of three brilliant singers in varied styles. Faraj Alipour, one of the greats of Iranian contemporary music, will perform in the Lori style; Maliheh Moradi will perform in the Iranian Classical style; and Fahimeh Mousavi will perform in the Mazandarani style. The ensemble will perform new works written with the unique melodies of Iran and incorporating the texture of traditional Iranian folk music to share the music of Iran with a contemporary audience.

Celebration attendees will enjoy a private tour of the Arts of Iran galleries led by Ladan Akbarnia, Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art, and will come together for remarks from Roxana Velásquez, the Museum’s Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO, and Museum Trustee Gita Khadiri.

This annual fundraiser supports the acquisition of artworks either made in Iran and the Persianate world or created by Iranian contemporary artists. The Arts of Iran galleries exist and thrive because of the dedication and generosity of this community.

Capacity is limited and tickets (including a full range of sponsor benefits) begin at $45. For tickets, visit the Persian Cultural Center ticketing website.

Arts of Iran

Featuring highlights from the Museum’s permanent collection of works from Iran and the Persianate world dating after the advent of Islam in the 7th century, as well as loans of contemporary works by Iranian and Iranian-American artists, this gallery celebrates Iranian civilization, heritage, and visual culture within a global context.

HISTORY OF PERSIAN ART COLLECTION AND ITS GALLERY

The San Diego Museum of Art’s collection of the Arts of Iran comprises nearly 200 works produced from the 9th century to the present day. Built from around the 1950s to 1960s through gifts as well as Museum purchases with funding from individuals and The Asiatic Arts Committees of the Fine Arts Society—today’s Asian and South Asian Arts Councils—the collection has seen an increase in growth and support in recent years, with an acquisition strategy now expanding to include modern and contemporary art from Iran and the Iranian diaspora. Selections from the Arts of Iran collection are regularly on view in the Museum’s Arts of Iran gallery and often also feature in special displays in other parts of the Museum.

This event is sponsored by the Persian Cultural Center.