ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - 2010 - Ningapi.ning.com/.../20092010AnnualReport.pdf · Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 3 Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit

The Iranian American Heritage Foundation of Southern California

ANNUAL REPORT2009 - 2010

Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 3

Farhang Foundation is a non-religious,

non-political, not-for-profit foundation

dedicated to celebrating, promoting,

studying and researching Iranian art,

culture and history for the benefit

of the community at large.

Farhang’s Second YearDear Friends,

This Annual Report marks our second year of programs and achievements at Farhang Foundation.Thanks to the leadership of our board, the dedication of our management team, academic committee,Orange County Council, volunteers, and supporters, this has been quite an incredible year!

Following a very successful first year of executing our vision with purpose and passion, this past yearsaw a rise in our membership and a full slate of quality programming, including sponsorships ofnever before seen exhibitions like A Tale of Two Persian Carpets at LACMA and our signatureNowruz celebration at LACMA, which has quickly become one of our most highly anticipatedevents. We also designed a brand new type of program this year – Meet Farhang – where we invitedmembers of the community, Iranians and non-Iranians alike, to learn more about FarhangFoundation and its efforts as we celebrated various aspects of our culture.

While striving to offer quality programming that was both enlightening and entertaining in nature,we also remained true to Farhang Foundation’s mission as a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Iranian art, culture, and heritage for thebenefit of the community at large.

As we revisit our past year and look ahead to future ones, we hope you will join us, and together,with the generous support and commitment of our board members and valued friends, we willcontinue to achieve our goals.

Sincerely,

Chairman & Board of Trustees

4 Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010

Meet Farhang: A Night of PhotographyJanuary 2010

Farhang Foundation kicked off 2010 with its first official Meet Farhang, a signature event designed tointroduce members of the community – Iranians and non-Iranians alike – to the Foundation and itsefforts, while celebrating the photographic works of four talented Iranian photographers – LalehEskandari, Sussan Farahani, Banafsheh P. Abadi, and Nushin Sabet – whose images presented sceneriesfrom various regions of Iran.

In addition to these four artists, the works of Mark Edward Harris – the award-winning Americanphotographer, artist, and publisher of the book Inside Iran – were also featured at this event.

All funds raised during the evening were in support of Farhang Foundation's mission of celebrating andpromoting Iranian art, culture, and heritage for the benefit of the community at large.


Annual Report 2009-2010Meet Farhang: A Night of Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Celebrating the Cultural Origins of Persian Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7

Gusheh Bé Gusheh: A Traditional Persian Music Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Iranians Count 2010 Census Coalition: Stand Up And Be Counted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

2010 Nowruz: Iranian New Year at the LACMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Farhang Heritage Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Q&A with Kamran Diba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

An Evening with Rakhshan Bani-Etemad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Farhang & CAFAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Abstract Romanticism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Shahnameh Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

2010 ISIS Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

8th Annual Culture Show at UCLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21

Meet Farhang: A Night of Poetry & Nostalgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23

Document: Iranian-Americans in Los Angeles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Farhang’s Fundraisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

It Is Our Farhang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Board of Trustees & Management Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Orange County Council & Academic Advisory Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Thank You! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

How You Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Celebrating the Cultural Originsof Persian Carpets

6 Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 7

Imaginary KnotsThroughout the year, Farhang Foundation helpedsponsor various exhibitions and events at the LosAngeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), such asImaginary Knots, an evening that brought togetherthree renowned artists, Mamak Khadem (singer),Hamid Saeidi (producer / composer), and ShidaPegahi (choreographer). A collaborative production bySaeidi and Pegahi, Imaginary Knots was a multimediaproject of live music, dance, and video art, celebratingthe rich tapestry of Persian culture, while exploringthe origins of its legendary carpets.

A Tale of Two Persian CarpetsImaginary Knots was in association with A Tale of Two Persian Carpets, a rare exhibition of two of the world’smost magnificent carpets: the Ardabil and Coronation. Dating back to the 16th century, the Ardabil andCoronation carpets were displayed together for the first time ever. This special installation at the LACMA,along with Imaginary Knots, was sponsored in part by Farhang Foundation.

Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi

Iranians Count 2010 Census Coalition:Stand Up and Be CountedDuring the months leading to mid-March when the U.S. Census 2010 forms would start arriving at everyhousehold across the country, the Iranians Count 2010 Census Coalition – which included FarhangFoundation – united and mobilized to reach out to Iranian-Americans nationwide. The coalition’s purposewas to educate the Iranian-American community about the importance of participating and reportingaccurate information pertaining to race, ethnicity, and national origin to the Census Bureau. In the past, itwas believed that such statistics with regards to the Iranian-American community were not accurate,which resulted in limited access to local services and a less prominent political voice.

Farhang Foundation, in collaboration with other organizations, worked tirelessly to get the word out byco-sponsoring the production of several Public Service Announcements, developing IraniansCount.organd helping to organize mixers in both Los Angeles and Irvine, which provided the public opportunitiesto network while learning about the significance of the U.S. Census 2010.


Gusheh Bé Gusheh:A Traditional Persian Music ConcertGusheh bé Gusheh, a traditional Persian music concert, featured the renowned European-based Iranianmusician and composer, Khosrow Soltani on nay, balaban, and sornay. He was joined by Rowan Storm ondayereh and daf, along with special guest, Mehrdad Arabi, on percussion. Admissions were free and theconcert proved to be a delightful evening celebrating the enchanting sounds of Persian music. FarhangFoundation, together with LACMA, premiered Gusheh bé Gusheh at LACMA's Leo S. Bing Theater.


Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi


2010 Nowruz:Iranian New Year at the LACMA

Throughout March, Farhang Foundation proudly displayedbanners along the Wilshire Corridor, Mid-Wilshire, andWestwood areas announcing its 2nd annual celebration ofNowruz – or Iranian New Year – at the LACMA.

Free and open to Los Angelenos of all backgrounds, Farhang’sNowruz celebration at the LACMA featured the premiere ofThe Persian Rite of Spring, created by Niloufar Talebi, amultimedia show about the history, mythology, poetry, andfolklore of Nowruz, a millennia-old tradition celebrating thearrival of Spring, observed by Iranians and others worldwide.

The day also included the music of the Hamed Nikpay &Friends Ensemble and its signature Persian melodies fusedwith flamenco beats. Additionally, the program highlightedIranian cultural traditions, including calligraphy artistry,readings from the Shahnameh (Iran’s national epic), saaz anddohol musicians and Persian classical dancers performingaround the Haft-Sîn display, the symbolic representation andcenterpiece of Nowruz.

Amid the festivities, awards were also presented to thewinners of the 2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short FilmFestival and two prominent individuals - Professors RichardFrye and Amin Banani – who were recognized for theircontributions to the study and research of Iranian history,civilization, and language.

Photo by Banafsheh P. Abadi Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi

2nd Annual Farhang FoundationShort Film FestivalFarhang Foundation, in association with the Society of Cinema and Arts (SoCiArts), opened its2nd Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival in November of 2009.

Artists from all walks of life, Iranians and non-Iranians alike, were invited to create a music video of anygenre or style, visualizing an aspect of Iranian arts, history, culture, crafts, geography, cuisine or lifestyle, thatwould inspire and spark the audience's interest in learning more about Iranian art, history, and culture.Artists were given the opportunity to gain exposure to the Iranian-American community and a jury thatincluded film industry veterans, as well as the chance to compete for the top prize of $10,000.

Farhang Heritage AwardFarhang Foundation appreciates the role that certain individuals play in helping to support and promoteIranian culture and history so that it is preserved throughout the passage of time. For this very reason, theFoundation created an annual Heritage Award, so that each year it can recognize the extraordinarycontributions of such individuals:

Professor Richard Nelson Frye2010 Farhang Heritage Award Honoree

“In recognition of his extraordinary contributions tothe study of Iranian history and civilization”

Professor Amin Banani2010 Farhang Lifetime AchievementAward Honoree

“In recognition of his outstanding contribution to thestudy of Persian language and literature”


Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi


Q&A with Kamran DibaThe internationally recognized Iranian architect, Kamran Diba, made an appearance at the LACMA for afascinating Q&A session with Stephanie Barron, Senior Curator of Modern Art. Perhaps best known fordesigning the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran, Diba, who now divides his time between Paris andSpain, discussed his distinguished career as both an architect and cultural promoter.

An Evening with Rakhshan Bani-EtemadRakhshan Bani-Etemad is considered to be one of the elite Iranian filmmakers of today. Addressing socialthemes, in particular those pertaining to women, Bani-Etemad’s films have won acclaim both in and out ofIran. Farhang Foundation, together with UC Irvine Film and Video Center, invited Bani-Etemad to UCIrvine for a special two-day event at which several of her films were screened. Day 1 included screenings ofher recent documentaries – We Are Half of Iran’s Population (2009) and Angels of the House of Sun (2009).Day 2 featured her 2001 film, Under the Skin of the City. Both days opened with a reception and concludedwith a Q&A session with Bani-Etemad.

Photos by Vafa Khatami Photos by Vafa Khatami

Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 1716 Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010

Abstract RomanticismIranian-American artist Kamran Khavarani held a five-week exhibition at a private gallery in Westwood,sponsored by Farhang Foundation. His art, inspired by the Persian mystic poet Rumi, Khavarani has beencredited with creating a new movement in art known as Abstract Romanticism, a term coined by arthistorian, Professor Roshan Hubbard.

In a review of Khavarani’s work, renowned UCLA art historian, Professor Albert Boime, had once said,“We may define his unusual approach as Abstract Romanticism, bringing emotion and beauty into the hereand now with an intense energy and spontaneity that manifests fulfillment of joy in the eternal present…In this way, Khavarani resurrects the romantic idea of the possibility of an art that can change the world.”

Khavarani's paintings were the centerpiece of this exhibition, which also included a lecture by ProfessorHubbard on Abstract Romanticism.

Farhang & CAFAMFarhang Foundation is committed to partnering with various museums and cultural centers throughoutSouthern California, such as the Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM). This year, the Foundationhelped sponsor two captivating programs at CAFAM in conjunction with the exhibit Bold Abstractions:Textiles from Central Asia & Iran:

Carpet Concertwith Rowan & FriendsCelebrating the music, dance, and storytellingtraditions of Central Asia and Iran, Carpet Concertwith Rowan & Friends featured the dazzling RowanStorm and her ensemble of musicians and dancers.Guests left their shoes at the door, lounged on lushcarpets, and were swept away on an unforgettablemusical journey.

Poetry on the Move:Transmitting Our StoriesA multimedia presentation by award-winning theaterartist, translator, and writer, Niloufar Talebi, Poetry onthe Move: Transmitting Our Stories was an explorationof contemporary Persian poetry and oral storytellingtraditions. For centuries, these artforms have been anintegral part of Persian folk traditions and are still avital form of artistic and cultural expression.

Photos by Vafa Khatami


Shahnameh ConferenceThe Shahnameh, Iran’s nationalepic, composed by AbolqasemFerdowsi in the late 10th and early11th centuries CE, was the focalpoint of a two-day conference atUCLA, where renowned scholarsfrom a variety of academicinstitutes from the U.S., Europe,and Iran offered unique insightsand historical information onFerdowsi’s masterpiece.

Lively Q&A sessions marked theend of each day and were followedby an open reception and dinner,allowing for lecturers and listenersto sit and dine together. Thisconference was sponsored in partby Farhang Foundation.

2010 ISIS ConferenceIn the Spring of 2010, the Eight Biennial Conference of the International Society for Iranian Studies (ISIS) washeld in Santa Monica, which included a gathering of nearly 250 scholars from all around the world whostudy, teach and write on Persian language, culture, the Iranian Diaspora, and more. Featuring panels,workshops, receptions, as well as musical performances, this three-day conference – in part sponsored byFarhang Foundation – was highlighted by its recognition of distinguished scholars in the field of IranianStudies, who included Professors Richard Frye (Harvard), Nikki Keddie and Amin Banani (UCLA), JalehAmouzgar (Tehran University), and Ehsan Yarshater (Columbia).


Photos by Reza Goharzad


8th Annual Culture Show at UCLAUCLA’s Iranian Student Group (ISG) presented its 8th Annual Culture Show in 2010. Produced andshowcased by members of the ISG at UCLA, this year’s show included poetry, dance, and a theatricalperformance of Akharin Khabar (The Last News). Sponsored by Farhang Foundation, this well-executedtwo-night engagement offered audiences an introspective and dynamic glimpse into Iranian culture.

Photos by Arash Tebbi from Rugger ProductionsPhotos by Arash Tebbi from Rugger Productions


Meet Farhang: A Night of Poetry & NostalgiaJune 2010

On a lovely June evening at The Beverly Hilton’sStardust Room, Farhang Foundation hosted MeetFarhang: A Night of Poetry & Nostalgia. Guestsgathered to enjoy the music of Kamran Thunder andMohammad Hasani, and the beauty of Persianliterature, as Elahe Akhavan, Shahrzad Ardalan,Galavij Motamedi, and Mehdi Sayahzadeh read fromthe treasured works of such notable Persian writersand poets as Forough Farrokhzad (1935-1967),Fereydoon Moshiri (1926-2000), Ahmad Shamloo(1925-2000), and Ali Akbar Dehkhoda (1879-1956).

Though indeed a night of “poetry” and “nostalgia”, theevening had a greater purpose as it raised awareness ofFarhang Foundation’s efforts to help the IranianStudies program at University of California, SantaBarbara (UCSB), affiliated with the Center of MiddleEast Studies at UCSB, with their upcoming projectaimed at translating into English a number of Persianliterary works, including Charand Parand, the satiricaland political columns penned by renowned journalistand scholar Dehkhoda nearly a hundred years ago.

Farhang Foundation will continue to host future MeetFarhang events, as a way of opening its doors to thepublic and welcoming the community at large to sharein its passion for celebrating and promoting Iranianart, culture, and heritage.

Photo by Vafa Khatami Photos by Vafa Khatami

Document:Iranian-Americans in Los AngelesLos Angelenos from all backgrounds were invited to the new photographic exhibition entitled Document:Iranian-Americans in Los Angeles at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, sponsored in part by FarhangFoundation. From June 6 to August 22, 2010, the exhibition – curated by Amy Malek, UCLAAnthropology PhD candidate – offered visitors a fascinating glimpse into the lives of second-generationIranian-Americans in everyday situations in Los Angeles, a city reportedly home to the largest Iranianpopulation outside of Iran. Their lives were captured through the photography of four Iranian-Americanphotographers – Farhad Parsa, Arash Saedinia, Parisa Taghizadeh, and Ramin Talaie.


Farhang’s FundraisersSince its inception two years ago, Farhang Foundation has been fortunate to have the full commitment of itsboard members and support of its dear friends. With their combined dedication and generosity, Farhang hasbeen able to invest in its own programs and initiatives. But as it continues to grow and expand, so will itsgoals and plans. Soon, Farhang will need the support of the same community it strives to serve with itsenriching programs and philanthropic endeavors.

To that end, Farhang Foundation held two very special fundraisers this year. The first was the SLSWinemaker Dinner with Darioush. Thanks to the Nazarian family and contributions from those inattendance, the SLS Winemaker Dinner with Darioush in October 2009 turned into a fun and fruitful event,introducing the Foundation to new friends, while raising funds to support some of its academic programs.

In conjunction with the Masters of Persian Music at Walt Disney Concert Hall in February 2010, FarhangFoundation organized its second fundraising effort of the year. The evening proved to be a tremendoussuccess, thanks to the generosity of its guests and Farhang’s very own board member, Darioush Khaledi, whograciously gave of his own time and resources to organize this event, hosted at the exclusive Founders Roomat the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.


Photos by Banafsheh P. Abadi

It Is Our FarhangIn the Persian language, the word farhangmeans culture. At Farhang Foundation, webelieve farhang belongs to us all and it is up toevery one of us to embrace it. With that inmind, Farhang Foundation set forth to make apromotional video that would reach out to thecommunity at large and encourage them to getto know the Foundation and join in its efforts.

To execute its vision, Farhang Foundationenlisted the help of Jahanshah Ardalan, thewell-known documentary filmmaker, who lenthis talents on a pro-bono basis because of hislove for his Iranian heritage.

The promotional video – which includedmessages from a few of the Foundation’s boardmembers, supporters, and partners atLACMA, along with a host of clips from theprevious year’s programs – debuted on theFarhang Foundation website to very positivefeedback.

Similar to Farhang Foundation’s AnnualReport, this video will be periodically updatedto reflect on the Foundation’s past and look toits future, while promoting its mission ofcelebrating and sharing Iranian farhang withthe community at large.


Board of TrusteesAli C. Razi – Chairman

Mark AminAhmad GramianDarioush KhalediFarshad (Fasha) MahjoorRon MavaddatDr. Aria MehrabiFarhad MohitAnoosheh M. OskouianHooshang Pak, MD, FACSArdie TavangarianShidan Taslimi

Management TeamBita MilanianExecutive Director

Hassan IzadChief Financial Officer

Shahram SoleimaniSecretary

David. W. NewmanLegal Counsel (Pro-Bono)

Haydeh ShirmohammadiSpecial Projects Director

Reza GoharzadPublic Relations

Orange County CouncilDr. Fariba Taghavi - Chairman

Sharo Khastoo - Board Member

Academic Advisory Committee Janet Afary University of California Santa Barbara

Amin Banani University of California Los Angeles

Richard N. FryeHarvard University

Ali GheissariUniversity of San Diego

Arash KhazeniPomona College

Afshin Matin-AsgariCalifornia State University Los Angeles

Ali MousaviLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Jasamin Rostam-KolayiCalifornia State University Fullerton

Matthew W. StolperUniversity of Chicago

Hossein ZiaiUniversity of California Los Angeles


Looking Ahead Signature & New EventsEach year, Farhang Foundation will continue to organize and promote its signatureprograms, such as the Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival, Nowruz, and the recentlyestablished Meet Farhang. But the year ahead will see some very special and new types ofevents, such as Taste of Persia by Farhang Foundation, which is designed to showcase one ofthe most accessible and beloved aspects of Iranian heritage – our renowned cuisine.

Iranian StudiesA significant part of any culture is undeniably its language. For this very reason, FarhangFoundation collaborated closely with 670AM KIRN Radio Iran and California StateUniversity, Northridge (CSUN) to help raise funds to bring back Persian language coursesto the university, which had been cancelled due to state budget adjustments. Thanks to thegenerous public, Persian language classes returned to CSUN in the Fall 2010 semester.But Farhang’s commitment to education does not end there, as it has initiated a plan tospearhead a university-level Iranian Studies program, which will help preserve our historyand language for younger generations of Iranian-Americans. This exciting new initiative isin the planning stages but is progressing steadily. Stay tuned for more!

For the latest on Farhang Foundation’s upcoming programs and events, visit:

After all, it is our farhang…


Thank You!Farhang Foundation thrives due to the generosity, support, and hard work of many dedicated people andlocal businesses, which we would like to take a moment to acknowledge…

www.farhang.org

Our Friends & Volunteers:Neda AfsharianEli AlaeeYasi AlaeeMaryam AtaiSamira DemisShervin EmamiSofi EtemadiBehrooz GhavamiDr. Latifeh HagigiJudith KhakshouiSimeen MaghameAkhtar MotamediMahtab NejadDavid and Mahnaz NewmanDr. Nahid PirnazarSamira RastegarAnoosheh RaziNeda RohaniZohreh SadeghiParisa ShabanzadehSahba ShayaniBehzad TabatabaiSade TavangarianShana TavangarianTania TavangarianReza Yeganehshakib

Special Thanks & Acknowledgement:670AM KIRN Radio IranJahanshah ArdalanBanafsheh P. AbadiThe Beverly Hilton Damoka L.A.Dana FarahaniDr. Touraj DaryaeeHaleh EmraniGuity InternationalKetab Corp.Dr. Linda KomaroffLos Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)Nazarian FamilySabet BrandsSLS HotelSoCiArts.com

Our Sponsors:City National BankDarioushGhavami Plastic SurgeryKVMart Co.Lucky JetsWells Fargo Bank

HOW YOUCAN HELP…

Nominate a candidate to be a Farhang Trustee

Start a Farhang Council in a geography or an area of interest

Be generous with your talent and your time

Become a financial donor to Farhang

Join our growing online community at www.farhang.org

P.O. Box 491571Los Angeles, CA 90049

310-666-1546

[email protected]

www.farhang.org

The Iranian American Heritage Foundationof Southern California

Documents

ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - 2010 - Ningapi.ning.com/.../20092010AnnualReport.pdf · Farhang Foundation Annual Report: 2009-2010 3 Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit