Beginning as an investigation into the disparate events that bookend the twentieth and twenty-first centuries—the collapse of Communism and the Islamic Revolution in Iran—Friendship of Nations: Polish Shi’ite Showbiz traces unlikely points of convergence in Iran and Poland’s economic, social, political, religious and cultural histories. Drawing on Slavs and Tatars’ multi-disciplinary practice encompassing research, installations, lecture-performances and print media, this publication embraces new contributions on subjects that range from seventeenth-century Sarmatism to the twenty-first century Green Movement, taking in along the way tales of the Polish Exodus, Wojtek the bear, craft, hospitality, Passion plays and taziyeh, and the political lessons of a Polish slow-burn revolution for contemporary Iran.
About the Artists
Slavs and Tatars is an art collective devoted to an area East of the former Berlin Wall and West of the Great Wall of China known as Eurasia. Their practice is based on three activities: exhibitions, books and lecture-performances.
The collective’s PraySway (brown) (2015) is part of the Art Jameel Collection and was exhibited as part of the Second Hand exhibition at Jameel Arts Centre from July 3 to November 23, 2019.
About the Publishers
Book Works is a leading contemporary arts organisation and a maker and publisher of books. Established in 1984, Book Works is dedicated to supporting new work by emerging artists, and its projects are initiated by invitation, open submission and through guest-curated projects.
Sharjah Art Foundation hosts numerous activities and events throughout the year, from exhibitions featuring the work of Arab and international artists, live music and performances to film screenings and artist talks as well as extensive art education programmes for children, adults and families. Additionally, the Foundation has over the years published a range of books that include Sharjah Biennial and exhibition catalogues, books about the March Meetings and limited-edition artists’ publications.
