New York, NY — Firouz FarmanFarmaian, the celebrated artist, composer, and cultural visionary, captivated Manhattan with an extraordinary week-long series of events culminating in the launch of his immersive month-long exhibition, Nomads of Persia, at Salomon Arts Gallery. This striking collection delves into the endangered heritage of Persian tribal cultures, weaving together textiles, prints, paintings, video, soundscapes, and AI-driven digital media to reimagine tradition in a modern, transcultural context.
FarmanFarmaian, whose transcultural movement left an indelible mark at the 59th Biennale di Venezia, began the week with the U.S. and New York City debut of FORRM, his experimental band. The group introduced their latest album, GALACTICA, an audacious blend of 1960s and 1990s indie rock influences with tribal psychedelia.
The festivities continued with a three-day pop-up event titled “Paintovers,” presented by Camilla FarmanFarmaian’s Saint Tropez-based Juncture Gallery. This showcase explored the artist's hallmark technique of layering found and archival materials with bold new narratives. Midweek, attendees were immersed in a sensory journey at the Museum of Arts, where an AI-powered audiovisual performance offered a glimpse into the artist’s forthcoming arthouse documentary, PATH.
At Salomon Arts Gallery, Nomads of Persia expands the boundaries of contemporary art. This groundbreaking installation draws from FarmanFarmaian’s personal exile and his ancestral heritage, interweaving nomadic traditions with cutting-edge technology. "Contemporary art is finally revealing itself in nomadic form," FarmanFarmaian remarked, "mirroring the post-globalized cultural sphere where reconnections of craft and timeless tradition clash with transformative visions and fused identities."
The exhibit features multi-format works that challenge conventional narratives, presenting a harmonious dialogue between past and present. Visitors are invited to explore the artist’s ongoing exploration of Persian nomadic culture, disrupted yet preserved through his unique artistic lens.
The exhibition’s VIP reception drew an elite crowd of art aficionados and cultural luminaries, including Rodrigo and Gigi Salomon, Katharina Bosch, Maria Elena Paganini, filmmaker Abigail Disney, art historian Layla S. Diba, and philanthropist Sharleen Ravishankar. FarmanFarmaian himself hosted the evening alongside collaborators like Camilla FarmanFarmaian.
Born in Tehran in 1973 and exiled since the Iranian-Islamic Revolution of 1979, Firouz FarmanFarmaian descends from the Qajar dynasty, a lineage rich in history and tradition. Now a French-Swedish national, the stateless artist channels his passion for history and memory into his art, blending tribal craftsmanship with contemporary techniques. His work transcends borders, exemplifying what he calls the “post-tribal” — a movement that reintroduces tribal worldviews into modern discourse through painting, textile, film, music, and technology.
For art enthusiasts and culture seekers alike, Nomads of Persia offers a rare opportunity to witness the power of tradition reimagined for a globalized world. Step into Firouz FarmanFarmaian’s universe, where art becomes a bridge between memory and innovation.