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(New Orleans, Aug. 30, 2022) The Middle East Peace Studies program at �������� proudly celebrates in September the birthday of one of contemporary Iran’s most celebrated and influential artists. Ardeshir Mohassess, who died in exile in 2003, would have turned 86 on September 9. To observe Mohassess’ life and memory, as well as his deep impact on the cultural and political landscape of modern Iran and the art scene, the Ardeshir Mohassess Trust will host events over the course of several weeks.

The celebrations begin with a film screening of Dr. Bahman Maghsoudlou’s documentary The Rebellious Artist (September 9) to be followed by panel discussions to complement the exhibition of Mohassess’ never publicly -before-seen art works.��

Corresponding discussions will explore Mohassess’ many achievements along with his inspiring commitment to art and activism, and freedom. The panel discussions will examine Mohassess’ accomplishments both on paper and in life, while raising questions and facilitating thoughtful conversation.

The film screening and follow-up online panel discussions will take place in September in Loyola University’s J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library, 6363 Saint Charles Ave, Multimedia Room 1, unless otherwise noted below. Events will also be accessible online through the Ardeshir Mohassess Trust YouTube channel.

Panel discussions are also scheduled September 22-23 in the Black Box Theater of the Contemporary Art Center located at 900 Camp St.

A reception celebrating Ardeshir Mohassess and an exhibition of his works will wrap up the celebration, to be held at 8 p.m., on September 23, at Spillman|Blackwell Fine Art, 866 Camp St.

EVENTS
Friday, September 9
12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. - The Rebellious Artist
Loyola J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library, Multimedia Room 1. Webinar Registration��

Screening of documentary followed by Panel Discussion (in Persian)
Panelists:
❖ Dr. Bahman Maghsoudlou (the film’s director)
❖ Dr. Behrooz Moazami (Patrick G. O’ Keefe Distinguished Professor of History at ��������. trustee of Ardeshir Mohassess Trust)
❖ Nicky Nodjoumi (artist, trustee of Ardeshir Mohassess Trust), Online
❖ Zohreh Khaleghi (artist, poet)
❖ Ardeshir Mehrdad (independent scholar), Online
Moderator:
❖ Sara Nodjumi (film producer, director, educator, and festival programmer), Online
A light lunch will be served.
A reception to honor Ardeshir Mohassess’s Birthday will be hosted at SPILLMAN|BLACKWELL Fine Art at 866 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Thursday, September 22, 2022 | 10:00 - 12:00 pm Webinar Registration��
An online panel discussion in collaboration with Kaarnamaa Institute of Art and Visual Culture
Ardeshir Mohassess; Art, Absurdity and Politics��

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❖ Prof. Sussan Babaie (The Courtauld University, UK, Professor in the Arts of Iran and Islam), ❖Prof. Nahid Mozaffari (Senior Research Fellow, Leipzig University, Middle Eastern and American Studies, City University of New York)��
❖ Vali Mahlouji (London-based curator)

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❖ Raha Khademi (Senior Editor at Kaarnamaa Institute of Art and Visual Culture)

Thursday, September 22
6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. - Mohassess in Museums and Books
New Orleans Contemporary Art Center Black Box Theater
Panelists:
❖ Dr. Clare Davies (Associate Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)
❖ Carol K. Huh (Associate Curator, Contemporary Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution)
❖ Dr. Ali Banuazizi (Research Professor at Boston College) Online
❖ Dr. Ardeshir Babacknia (independent scholar, artist, and philanthropist)
Moderator:
❖ Dr. Layla S. Diba (independent scholar and curator)
Friday, September 23
5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. - Mohassess: Art and Beyond
New Orleans Contemporary Art Center Black Box Theater
Registration at cacno.org required
Panelists:
❖ Marjane Satrapi (graphic novelist, cartoonist, and illustrator), Online
❖ Shirin Neshat (visual artist: photography, video, and film), Online
❖ Nicky Nodjoumi (artist and trustee of Ardeshir Mohassess Trust)
Moderators:
❖ Sara Madandar (educator, artist and curator, Tulane University)
❖ Dr. Behrooz Moazami (Patrick G. O’ Keefe Distinguished Professor of History, Loyola University
❖ New Orleans, trustee of Ardeshir Mohassess Trust)
To be followed by a screening of the documentary The Rebellious Artist
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8:00 P.M. Reception
Spillman|Blackwell Fine Art
A reception celebrating Ardeshir Mohassess and an exhibition of his works will wrap up the celebration. ��Works of art by Mohassess will be sold, with proceeds from four of them going to Loyola.��