ABBAS KIAROSTAMI: IMAGE, VOICE AND VISION

Conference - Introduction

Venue:

Lecture Theatre, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL.

Dates:

29 April - 1 May, 2005.

Organised by:

The Iran Heritage Foundation, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute.

Supported by:

Credit Suisse.

Convened by:

Prof. Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, University of Maryland.

Introduction:

Through photography, film and poetry, Kiarostami has communicated a significant vision of God, man, nature, and life based on a minimalist, almost accidental approach to the dynamics and techniques of production. This three-day symposium proposes to bring together the world's leading scholars on this artist's aesthetic and intellectual achievement. While Kiarostami's cinematic vision can be said to have received a fair amount of attention, his other art forms, primarily photography and poetry, have yet to be explored in the depth and with the precision they deserve. In the course of the symposium, those who have interpreted diverse facets of his art will explore and examine his oeuvre and the vision behind them. Coming together from various parts of the world and engaged in different intellectual pursuits, the participants will bring diverse approaches and methodologies to the task at hand. The symposium will direct this diversity toward an overall understanding of the nature of the artist's voice and vision and to work toward a new balance in the scholarship on his art forms. During the symposium, research directed at elucidating various aspects of the artist's work will be presented with ample time allowed for interaction among the presenters and between them and the audience.

Conference fee:

100 GBP, 80 GBP (concessions), 60 (students). (Reduced fees subject to proof of status). Conference fee includes lunch, but does not include Kiarostami's Ta'ziyeh and the 'in-conversation' immediately after the conference. Click on In- conversation and Ta'ziyeh in the left column of this page for a detailed description of this additional programme.

Ta'ziyeh and 'in-conversation' tickets:

15 GBP, 12 GBP (concessions), 8 GBP (students). (Reduced fees subject to proof of status).

Box office (Conference, Ta'ziyeh, 'In-conversation'):

44 20 7942 2820 (bookings only). Early booking is strongly advised due to very limited seating.

Priority booking:

Kiarostami's Ta'ziyeh followed by an 'in-conversation' between the artist, Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak and Geoff Andrew takes place directly after the conference. Tickets for this event will be sold exclusively to conference bookers until 15 April. After that date tickets will be on general sale. Click on In- conversation and Ta'ziyeh in the left column of this page for a more detailed description of this additional programme.

Enquiries:

The Iran Heritage Foundation, 5 Stanhope Gate, London W1K 1AH. 44 20 7493 4766 (tel), 44 20 7499 9293 (fax), info@iranheritage.org.

Kiarostami festival:

This programme is part of a London-wide programme of events entitled Abbas Kiarostami: Visions of the Artist celebrating the achievements of this artist and his impact on contemporary culture and society.