ArtDayME: Shahnameh, the epic and exciting poetry book of Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi is still the beating heart of Iranian identity, which is cherished even in the Middle East as a human cultural heritage. These days, The Farjam Foundation has exhibited the exhibition "Echoes of Infinite: Poetry's Visual Symphony" in its gallery in DIFC, which is a different narrative of the Shahnameh; An exhibition that brings together ancient folios from the 15th century Shahnameh to contemporary art on the same subject under one roof.

Marjan Farjam, the curator of this exhibition, wrote a statement about this event, which is presented below:" 

Arash Nazari invites us to embark on a captivating journey through Echoes of Infinite: Poetry's Visual Symphony where the splendor of miniature paintings from Ferdowsi's epic poem, The Shahnameh or 'The Book of Kings,' (940-1020 AD), gracefully interweaves with the simplicity and minimalism of our contemporary era. The exhibition seeks to magnify the glories of the detailed, early illustrations portraying mythical stories of heroic tales, with their rich tapestry of symbols and legendary characters that reflect ancient beliefs and traditions. It recreates narratives through the lens of the imagination, reviving a past era and extending toward eternity. Echoes of Infinite: Poetry's Visual Symphony transports you to a profound reflection on the essence of traditional arts and the adaptation of these timeless treasures to the modern world, by reflecting on creative expressions that lie at the intersection of poetry and visual art. It explores the nature of the poet and the artist, drawing inspiration from historical events, wars, and the cyclical rise and fall of civilizations. The purpose of poetry and art is not only for reading or viewing but also for understanding and interpreting - without the need for an elaborate storyline - the details of wars, conquests, and resurrections throughout history.

Featured in the show are four works by the artist held in The Farjam Collection, alongside ten Miniature folios of Shahnameh from the 15th-17th century-bridging the past and the present in a temporal arc. Nazari, born in 1980, is a self-taught Iranian artist fascinated by the paintings of the Shahnameh. His practice explores the original techniques of Persian. Negaargari (a classical style of miniature painting or illustration that often features. elaborate scenes in exquisite detail, reflecting themes of literature, mythology, and royalty, mostly within a cultural and religious framework, using fine brushwork and intricate color palettes) embraced by his intuitive speculations.

His re-interpretation unfolds after an extensive study of the past for adaptation to the present evolving technically from cat-hair brushes to industrial brushes, natural handmade colors to synthetic oil paint, small scale to expansive dimensions, and detailed patterns to minimal forms. The running colors in his paintings evoke a sense of speed, symbolizing the rapid changes that we witness, the focal point of his works lying in the carefully chosen central scenes from the Shahnameh.

Arash Nazari longs for the viewer to experience a deeper understanding of artworks, with the visual reinterpretation that is necessary to scrutinize and evaluate them within the modern context. Historical narratives have focussed on rulers and art patrons, he says, in comparison to scant traces of poems, and artistic imagery. It is the task of the artist, therefore, to seek out the beauty and aesthétics of the art that has survived, its poetic heroism transcending darkness and inequality. Nazari speaks of the artist's role as one who seeks to reveal the essence of things, adding dignity to them through magnificent yet simple expressions. The artist is an idealist, striving to capture the core of existence, much like an alchemist purifying elements to reach the essence of life. He portrays humanity over and beyond mere physical appearance, seeking out individual uniqueness, and transforming static structures into dynamic, interconnected elements. Ultimately Nazari highlights the importance of perceiving art at its most profound level, where it resonates within the soul."

The exhibition "Echoes of Infinite: Poetry's Visual Symphony," can be seen at The Farjam Foundation located at Zone C Entrance, Gate Avenue - Trade Center Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC Unit GF-097 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates).