Argo Contemporary Art Museum and Cultural Centre (Argo) would be honored to participate in Jonas Mekas Poetry Day organized by the Pompidou. This day would be part of a group exhibition we are delighted to host, curated by Raha Raissnia with Martin Germann based on Jonas Mekas’ manifesto: “Anti-100 Years of Cinema.” The exhibition will open from July untill end of September.
This exhibition, titled I am Standing in the Middle of the Information Highway and Laughing, will feature artists such as Stom Sogo, Raha Raissnia, Andrew Lampert, Martha Colburn, Jordan Mintzer, Milton Cruz, Panagiotis Mavridis, Timo van Luijk, Andrew Chalk, Marco Fusinato, Tifany Sia, as well as others. This event, held in Tehran, Iran, will offer a multifaceted celebration of Mekas’ artistic legacy, bridging cinema, poetry, and visual art.
We will host a series of events, including poetry readings and talks, that delve into Mekas’ literary contributions. A distinguished group of poets will gather at Argo to engage in an in-depth discussion of Mekas’ poetic works, highlighting his influence on contemporary literature, cinema and visual art. This segment will not only showcase Mekas’ written works but also create a platform for contemporary poets to share and discuss their own poetry, fostering a dynamic dialogue between past and present literary voices.
To further honor Mekas’ legacy, we will screen three of his seminal films in Argo Cinematheque. Each screening will be accompanied by talks and panel discussions featuring esteemed film critic and historian Saleh Najafi, who will explore the themes, styles, and historical context of Mekas’ work.
Event Schedule:
July untill end of September 2024
I am Standing in the Middle of the Information Highway and Laughing
Group exhibition curated by Raha Raissnia with Martin Germann
15 September 2024
Jonas Mekas Poetry Day
Screening of the film Requiem (2019) and talks on Mekas’ works and poetry readings with Mohammad Reza Farzad and Raha Raissnia
16 September 2024 | Lost, Lost, Lost (1976) Talk with Saleh Najafi
17 September 2024 | Walden (1968)
20 September 2024 | Exhibition Tour with curator Raha Raissnia.