Project Summary:
This project seeks to shed light on the history of Iranian contemporary arts through the vision of two of Iran’s most avant-garde female artists, Forough Farrokhzad and Sussan Deyhim.
The final piece will take the form of a 75-minute stage and film performance piece in which Forough’s poems will be woven into an original musical score by Deyhim, combining Persian and Western contemporary classical influences with jazz, blues, and electronic music.
Archival images and scenes from Forough's documentary The House is Black and Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1965 interview with Forough, along with Deyhim’s original film and visual projections, will create the backdrop and provide a window into the life of Iran’s most controversial poet and filmmaker.
The initial performance previews of the piece will take place on January 19th, 2014, at the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, in Freud Hall.
From the Artist:
For me, the most inspiring aspect of this project is the opportunity to introduce the great work and sensibility of an Iranian female icon to the international community. Many Iranian intellectuals consider Forough a cultural godmother of modernist literature in Iran, but she died so young (at the age of 32) that I also think of her as our cultural daughter. A rebel with a cause.
Farough spoke with awe-inspiring rawness and maturity. She was an existentialist, feminist provocateur. She was Iran's Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, Maya Deren and Patty Smith all rolled into one. Her work has given me the inspiration to continue my own artistic journey during my 30 years in exile from Iran.
Her poetry is the narrative for this project and through it I am able to express some of my deepest feelings and visions about Iran both metaphorically and literally.
Across the piece’s abstract conceptual landscape, I will lead the audience through each tableau in a series of unique interpretations of the various characters from Forough’s poems, transporting them on an evocative journey to Iran of the 1950’s and back in the present where we need to embrace the universality and humanity of her message more than ever. The score and the sound design is inspired by the poetic and emotional content of each poem to create a moving song cycle within an ambient atmosphere.
With the enormous pressure currently placed on Iranian artists and intellectuals –especially women—Forough’s fight for freedom of artistic and ideological expression remains the central issue of our time 50 years after her death.
Why IndieGoGo?
To date, I have received a generous grant from the prestigious Los Angeles-based Iranian cultural foundation Farhang Foundation for this original creation and I am currently in a residency period with CAP UCLA (one of the most prominent organizations presenting the international avant-garde), but due to the sheer scope of this ambitious project an additional $75,000 must be raised in order to fully realize this piece. Over three years in planning, it is with your support and involvement that we can now make this important project possible.
Your contributions will allow me to create this very first preview at one of the most know theaters in the country, and your feedback and constructive criticism will be enormously helpful in developing the piece beyond the initial presentation, toward the world premiere (TBD 2014). This means that you are now a part of the creative process, and your ideas will be instrumental to the development of the work at large, as we join together to honor Forough's legacy.
All funds will be used to cover the costs of: the artists, musicians and collaborators; research and editing of Forough’s visual works, interviews, photographs, and biographical images; shooting and editing new scripted materials; visual design concepts to combine the structure for all projected images on stage; venue and rehearsal fees; and all additional production costs. *If funds are raised over our minimum goal, we will be able to expand the scope of the project above and beyond the base-line production to further manifest my vision for this piece.
(Remember, all donations are tax deductible!)
Additionally, a website for the project will be created to provide ongoing information about the piece as it evolves, and a special page will list each and every donor to celebrate their generous support.
I am here asking for your help to make this piece a reality and to honor Forough Farrokzhad and her commitment to the importance of modernism and progressive thinking. Thank you for your support and generosity.
~ Sussan Deyhim
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Forough Farrokhzad was no doubt the Godmother of Iranian modern poetry and film and a radical feminist whose horizon truly transcended feminism to reach a universal humanistic outcry, which is relevant to this day both inside and outside of Iran. Her nuanced polyphonic poetry takes us through a shockingly wide spectrum of ideas and visions. She is Iran’s Sylvia Plath.
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More information about Forough can be found at the link below:
http://www.forughfarrokhzad.org
Sussan Deyhim - Director, Composer, Conceiver and Performer
Deyhim’s original and innovative sonic and performance concepts have placed her at the forefront of the international avant-garde cultural movement for over three decades. While her voice evokes a deeply spiritual tone and her art is considered a threshold into a magical ritualistic journey, her dedication to modernization of the ancient artistic sensibilities has led her into creating a futuristic artistic language that penetrates and communicates with the cultural sensibilities of the East and the West, and the old and the young generations.
Sussan’s wide-ranging collaborations with leading artistsfrom across the spectrum of contemporary art have included, Ornette Coleman, Bobby McFerrin, Peter Gabriel, Bill Laswell, Richard Horowitz, Rufus Wainwright, Marius De Vries, Hal Winer, Micky Hart, Branford Marsalis, Jerry Garcia, Will Calhoun, Karsh Kale, Doug Wimbish, Keith LeBlanc, Skip McDonald, Jah Wobble, Talvin Singh, Adrian Sherwood, and The Blue Man Group and with prominent female visual artists Shirin Neshat, Sophie Calle and Lita Albuquerque.
http://sussandeyhim.com
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PERK IMAGES:
Goodie Bag T-Shirt + 5 Albums
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Limited Edition Art Prints:
(Available for purchase as Perks)
"Triptyque in Red"
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"The House is Black"
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“Windup Doll”
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“I Will Salute The Sun”
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“Victory Got an ID with Name and Number”
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We are delighted to announce another great donation to our campaign by the renowned international journalist and artist Nazzy Beglari.
It is a one of a kind mixed media work inspired by Forough Farrokhzad: "Untitled", 2011, mixed media on canvas, 90 x 49 cm. Price: $2,500
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I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Afsoon for donating a piece of her incredible artwork, which can now be purchased in support of this project:
'Forough' from the FAIRYTALE ICONS series by London based Iranian artist Afsoon. (Collage on artist paper, edition of 6/8, 2 artist proofs, 2009, 42 cm by 59 cm.) Price: $3,200
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COLLABORATORS:
Jon Kellam - Co-director
Kellam is presently co-Artistic director and co-founder of Zoo District Theatre (LA), a resident director, member, and former director of education at The Actors' Gang, a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre LA, and served as director of the GET LIT PLAYERS (LA) in 2012.
Ahmad Karimi Kakkak - Literary Advisor and Translator
Ahmad Karimi Hakkak was Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Washington for nineteen years. He is currently a professor and founding director of the Roshan Center for Persian Studies[2] in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures[3] at the University of Maryland. Karimi-Hakkak has written nineteen books and over one hundred major scholarly articles. A specialist in modern Persian literature, his works have been translated into French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Arabic, Japanese, and Persian.
(Other translators TBA soon)
Simon Edery - Producer
Simon Edery is a versatile and successful Producer affiliated and voting member at the Directors Guild of America (DGA), The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, (BAFTA) and the Producer Guild of America (PGA). Simon Edery has realized over 10 feature films, and multi-screen performances. These work have appeared on major networks and or as theatrical releases, in museums and film festivals worldwide such as the San Francisco Modern Art Museum, the Berlin Film Festival, Germany. Sundance Film Festival, USA. Venice Film Festival, Italy. Golden Horse Awards, Taipei, Taiwan. Hof Film Festival, Germany. New York International Film Festival, USA. Amsterdam Film Festival, Holland. Cinematheque de Paris, France. Dauville Film Festival, France, and various galleries.
www.EderyFilm.com
The House Is Black, LLC - Producer
THIB LLC is Sussan Deyhim's production company designated to producing THIB Media project since Oct 2011.
-- Musical Team
Richard Horowitz - Co-Composer
Projects with Sussan Deyhim include: Desert Equations, City of Leaves, Majoun for Sony Classical and Logic of the Birdsproduced by Lincoln Center. Film Credits include: The Sheltering Sky directed by Bernardo Bertolucci (Golden Globe and LA Film Critics Music Awards) . Any Given Sunday directed by Oliver Stone (BMI Music Award), Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Prize winner, Three Seasons directed by Tony Bui, starring Harvey Keitel, Tobruk (Czech Golden Lion Music Award), Lakota Woman directed by Frank Pierson produced by Jane Fonda, Intersections directed by David Marconi and produced by Luc Besson. Les Amants de Mogador starring Max von Sydow, Return to Rajapur starring Lynn Collins, Frank Langella, and Justin Thereaux and Kajarya directed by Madhureeta Anand. From 1968 to 1980 Richard lived between Paris and Morocco where he studied Arabic, French, music, eastern philosophy and film. Paul Bowles nominated him for the American Academy of Arts and Letters Goddard Liberson Award and recommended to Bernardo Bertolucci. Other productions include: RH directed and co-producedSpiritual India River of Compassion for The Annenberg Foundation, Night Spirit Masters for Axiom Records with Bill Laswell and Ritmos del Futuro Maroc/Seville, the music for the Moroccan National Day at Seville Expo 92. In 1997 Richard cofounded and served as artistic director for The Gnaoua ( Gnawa) Festival in Essaouira, Morocco. The festival is the Woodstock of Morocco. It still attracts over 400,000 people and many international performers every year.
www.richardhorowitz.com
John Beasley: Grammy-nominated Beasley, the one-time keyboardist for Miles Davis, Freddie
Hubbard, Queen Latifah, Steely
Dan, Dianne Reeves and even one stint with James Brown, seems to be heard and
seen everywhere. He is Music Director for the Thelonious Monk Institute producing the
International Jazz Day gala concerts, recently worked on the James Bond
"Skyfall" movies. He was heard in our favorite TV shows growing
up, like Cheers, Family Ties, and Fame, and continues to work in TV on singing
competitions such as Music Director or Lead Arranger for American Idol, The
Tonight Show, Duets, and an upcoming ABC show "Sing Your Face Off."
In between shows, he can be found on stage with a wide range of artists
from Stanley Clarke, Carly Simon, Sussan Deyhim, and Chaka Khan.
http://johnbeasleymusic.com
Greg Ellis: Is a drummer/composer/producer based in Los Angeles. He is known
internationally through his work with artists such as Zakir Hussain, KODO, Mickey Hart, Juno Reactor and his own
projects Vas and Rhythm Pharm.
Ellis can also be heard on
over 75 film scores including ‘Argo', ‘300', Iron Man and ‘The Matrix Trilogy'.
www.rhythmpharm.com
Mitchel Forman: After joining legendary ex-Weather Report
saxophonist Wayne Shorter, touring, recording and
contributing to Shorter's "Phantom Navigator". With
all this world-class experience under his belt Forman naturally progressed to
leading his own band and recorded his group debut for Windham Hill, "Train
of Thought". At the same time he continued to work with other
luminaries like guitarist John Scofield ("Blue Matter"), Mike Stern
("Upside Downside") Janis Siegal, Dave Samuels, Diane Schuur, Gary Burton (Reunion GRP), Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, Simon Phillips,
Freddie Hubbard, Bill Evans, and Ricki Lee Jones. Forman continues to record and play under his
own name and has recently started his own record label, "Marsis Jazz".
http://www.mitchelforman.com
Ken Rosser: Guitarist, has worked with Smokey Robinson, The Bobby
Bradford Mo’tet, Alphonse Mouzon, The Grand Mothers, Prince Diabate, Samite, Nels Cline (Wilco), Kevin Breit, David Torn, David Pritchard, John Stowell, Page Hamilton (Helmet), Mike Einziger (Incubus), Tim Brady, Glenn Branca and John Cage. Ken’s stage, film and
television credits include Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage, Lars and the Real Girl, Always Patsy Cline, Firefly, and Spamalot.
Alan Kushan: Studied
music composition in Zurich, Kölnand Berlin as well as Canada
and USA;
he also studied with Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Karlheinz Stockhausen
and other master musicians. Not satisfied with the range and capacity of
his chosen musical instrument, Alan decided to apply his skills as an instrument-maker to expand the range
of his instrument by adding elements from the modern piano, the harp and the
guitar.
http://www.alankushan.com
Mehdi Bagheri: Composer, Kamanche and Setar player. Mehdi was born in Kermanshahin in 1980, and started his musical endeavors
by learning to play the Tonbak by Ramin Tafazoli. He then started learning other
instruments in order to familiarize himself even further with Iranian
music and composing. These included the Setar and Kamanche; he finally chose Kamanche as his main instrument. Mehdi learned to play the Kamancheh from Maestro Ardashir Kamkar, and studied drama at the university
as well.
Jon Ossman: A native of New York's Mid-Hudson Valley,
Jon began playing String Bass at age 11 in the school band. On his thirteenth
birthday He was given an Electric Bass and by 14 Jon was working with local bar
bands and playing club dates and casuals with a local Salsa band. At age 17 Jon
moved to New York City
to steep Himself in the study of North Indian Classical Music and the Sitar.
While keeping with His studies Jon continuned playing bass with various groups when in 1982 He joined Richard
Lloyd (Television). Through the years Jon has gone on to perform and record
with a number of exceptional artist and players. Credits would include;
Chis Botti, Marc Cohn, Paula Cole, John Hall, Levon Helm,
Garth Hudson, Dominic Miller, Sting. Jon lives in Los Angeles.
He Can be seen performing locally with The Michael White Quintet Unit 2, and
touring nationally with Marc Cohn this summer and fall.
MAETAR: If Miles Davis, George Clinton, Jimi Hendrix, Fela Kuti and
Duke
Ellington made a musical chlid in the Sinai
desert, it might sound like
MAETAR. Hailing from Israel,
brothers Hagai (Trumpet/Shells/Flutes/Ram's
Horn) & Itai (Bass/Sound Design/Percussion) created MAETAR as a way to fuse their love of soul,
jazz, classical lyricism and sacred tribal music
from around the world, both as an
expression of peace/cross cultural collaboration, and booty shaking. They are joined by the renowned drummer/world
percussionist, Richard Fultineer and continue to
collaborate with stellar musicians
the world over.
http://www.maetar.com
-- Visual Team
Film Production Team TBA
Kamran Souresrafil - 3D Animation
In 1990, he started exploring 3d animation and different 3d soft ware systems (soft image - maya - Cinema 4d) in order to create images and sounds. In 1995, he began working with various music bands. He has been working for 18 years in Industrial and electro-metal music as well as image synthesizing. In 1990, he started exploring 3d animation and different 3d soft ware systems (soft image - maya - Cinema 4d) in order to create images and sounds. In 1995, he began working with various music bands. He has been working for 18 years in Industrial and electro-metal music as well as image synthesizing.
Siamak Nasiri Ziba - Photographer, editor of the original demo material
He has made 16 short films and some of them were selected in various festivals including international Cracow Film Festival in 2004, as the only experimental film chosen to be shown. His Video Art in 2007 was shown at the Ellipse Arts Center in Virginia. In the field of Photography, one of his pictures was chosen in Iran photo biennial (2007). In 2009, his Art works were presented in the Phantom Gallery, Los Angeles. He has worked with Sussan Deyhim since the last three years as an editor, cinematographer and photographer.
Jason H Thompson - Projection Designer
Has worked on over 50 Productions as a Projection Designer
around the world. Select credits include The Great Immensity and This Beautiful
City for the Civilians, The Broadway musical Baby It’s You!, Venice at the
Public Theatre, Remember Me an international touring show with Parsons Dance
Company, Cage Songbooks a 45 minute selection of Cage Compositions performed at
Carnegie Hall, SF Symphony, and New World Symphony in Miami, Crescent City
Opera a new experimental opera directed by Yuval Sharon, Bad Apples a new
musical about Abu Ghraib, and Val Kilmer’s one-man show Citizen Twain. He has
designed the video for Stars on Ice for the last six years, and has worked with
the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation for the last two years. He’s received an LA
Ovation Award, Jesse Award Nomination, LADCC Nomination, and LA Weekly Theatre
Award Nomination for his work. In addition to his professional career, he has
taught as an adjunct professor at Cal Arts and UCLA. He is a member of USA Local
829.
http://jasonhthompsondesign.com
Anne is a world renowned theatrical lighting designer and fine artist with a career spanning all aspects of creating with light.Recent work includes the LA Opera production of "Dulce Rosa" conducted by Placido Domingo, and a large-scale light-art piece for the World Financial Center in NYC entitled "Light Cycles," which was chosen "Pick of the Week" during the month of January by Time Out New York.
Among many awards, she received the prestigious OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design for Off Broadway Theatre. She has designed the touring concert productions of Tom Waits, Robert Plant, Leonard Cohen, and Lou Reed, among others. Her work in theatre includes collaborations with Sam Shepard, Mabou Mines and David Lynch. She has lit concerts for Sussan Deyhim at Carnegie Hall, La Mama ETC and the Broad Stage. She currently heads the graduate lighting program at California Institute of the Art.
