The Middle East Institute is pleased to host Iranian artist Zeinab Shahidi Marnani for a presentation and discussion of her current work. Ms. Shahidi Marnani is currently an artist-in-residence at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York, working in collaboration with Art Jameel in partnership with Edge of Arabia.
Using mostly the mediums of text and video, her presentation will include the body of work entitled "Soliloquy," a video series which explores alternative methods of creating dialogue and understanding history. She will also discuss "Histories," a video documentary exploring the origins and nuances of her last name Shahidi, which means 'martyr,' tracing back to the Iranian constitutional revolution.
Furthermore, the artist will reveal her latest work in progress, "Silent Memory," which aims at collecting the accounts and experiences of Afghan refugees who once sought refuge in Iran and have since departed.
Please join us for a wine and cheese reception from 6:00-6:15pm. The conversation will follow from 6:15-7:15pm.
About the Speakers
Zeinab Shahidi Marnani is an artist who was born in Iran and lives and works in Tehran and New York. She holds a MFA in sculpture from Yale School of Art and a BFA from Tehran University. Her work has been shown at the Thomas Erben Gallery in New York; ALLGOLD at the MoMA PS1 Print Shop in New York; Devi Art Foundation in India; design transfer gallery (UDK) in Berlin; and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts in Iran, among others.
Lyne Sneige (moderator) has extensive experience in the arts and culture scene in Lebanon and the Middle East region. Currently based in Washington, DC, she is the director of cultural affairs at the Middle East Institute. Prior to that she was deputy director, Lebanon and regional projects manager for arts and culture for the Middle East, at the British Council.