Though Iran is often in the news, for most Americans it is little understood. We have asked a group of experts on Iranian culture - academics, curators, filmmakers and artists - to open a door for us into Iran. Not surprisingly they each ended up focusing on poetry.Time & Again explores Iran’s rich and deep culture through the lens of the LACMA exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art. The series is hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani with LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.

Time & Again

EP1: Poetry on the Tip of the Tongue

Iran has a history that is steeped in poetry, music and art, an identity that has spread far beyond its borders. Time & Again considers Iran’s potent history through the epic poem, the Shahnama. No matter what gender, generation, class, religion or political inclination, every single Persian knows about the Shahnama. It is a text that tells tales of warriors and kings, love and betrayals and that has lasted for thousands of years, the resonance of which remains. This podcast explores this text through the lens of the artists and scholars that feel inspired by it and appreciate how a work of art, a poem, is one of the bedrocks of Persian society.This podcast series is inspired by the exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art, curated by Linda Komaroff, on view at LACMA from May 6 to September 9, 2018.Hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani, and LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.

Time & Again (Teaser)

No matter what gender, generation, class, religion or political inclination, every Iranian knows about the epic poem, the Shahnama or Book of Kings. In this episode, we explore this work through the artists and scholars who are inspired by it and appreciate how such a literary masterpiece has remained relevant for over a thousand years.Time & Again explores Iran’s rich and deep culture through the lens of the LACMA exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art. The series is hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani with LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.

EP2: An Epic Poem

In the poetry of the Shahnama readers are introduced to a flawed but endearing hero named Rostam. In this episode we discuss how heroes like Rostam represent a source of pride as well as a jumping off point for critique.Time & Again explores Iran’s rich and deep culture through the lens of the LACMA exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art. The series is hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani with LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.

EP3: We Can Be Heroes

It seems fitting to close this series with reference to some of the works of art that inspired this podcast. In this episode we consider how Iranian artists use the past as a metaphor for the present day. Here Maz and Linda discuss how the Shahnama appears throughout the exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art and how Iranian artists draw upon this historic text as a way to make sense of the present. Time & Again explores Iran’s rich and deep culture through the lens of the LACMA exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art. The series is hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani with LACMA curator Linda Komaroff.

EP4: The Past is Present, The Present is Past

Iran has a history that is steeped in poetry, music and art, an identity that has spread far beyond its borders. Time & Again considers Iran’s potent history through the epic poem, the Shahnama. No matter what gender, generation, class, religion or political inclination, every single Persian knows about the Shahnama. It is a text that tells tales of warriors and kings, love and betrayals and that has lasted for thousands of years, the resonance of which remains. This podcast explores this text through the lens of the artists and scholars that feel inspired by it and appreciate how a work of art, a poem, is one of the bedrocks of Persian society.This podcast series is inspired by the exhibition In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art, curated by Linda Komaroff, on view at LACMA from May 6 to September 9, 2018. Hosted by actor/comedian Maz Jobrani, and LACMA curator Linda Komaroff. For more information about Time & Again visit lacma.org/podcasts