The fascination of Persia: the Persian-European dialogue in seventeenth-century art & contemporary art from Tehran

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Contributors

Notes
- Catalog of an exhibition held at Museum Rietberg Zürich, Sept. 27, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014.
- "Since the early 17th century, Europe and Persia have been weaving bonds of friendship. A legendary place between Europe and Asia, Persia became the longed-for destination of many travelers, tradesmen, and friars and knights of various orders. They brought works of art and luxury goods with them and took finest silks and precious rugs back home. This exchange has left traces in European and Persian art of the 17th and early 18th centuries. Only few people today are aware of these once good, friendly relationships. The dispute on nuclear weapons and the regime's political repression and religious fundamentalism dominate our perception of Iran. Yet despite of these difficult circumstances, modern Tehran has a rich and vibrant artistic life. This book documents the Persian-European artistic dialogue over four centuries. In particular it presents work by seven contemporary artists from Tehran and thus provides an insight into a new modern Persia in exchange with the global art world."--Publisher description.
- Essays by Rudolph P. Matthee, Cyrus Ala'i, Birgitt Borkopp-Restle, Paulina Banas, Michael Chagnon, Gary Schwarz, Jennifer M. Scarce, Claudia Swan, Susann Wintsch, and Axel Langer.