Call for Entries for Persian Arts Festival's Largest and Most Original Haf...

Persian Arts Festival will host its 5th Annual Norooz Celebration on Saturday, March 26th at the 92Y Tribeca. The festival will feature the city’s largest and most original “Haftseen” as the visual arts component. Haftseen, or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting of Norooz, the traditional Persian Spring celebration. The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them.

DOWNLOAD POSTER as PDF.
poster artist: Khandan Bigdeli

IMPORTANT DATES:

Entries due:
February 11, 2011

Notice of acceptance:
March 1, 2011

Festival date:
March 26, 2011

GUIDELINES
PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT DATES (above) and READ ALL OF THE GUIDELINES LISTED (below).

Artists may submit original designs for three elements from the traditional symbols listed below. We will be selecting several artists to participate in what will be a collection of works to create the largest Haftseen that New York City has seen yet. We want to have fun with this project and present a myriad of talent, ideas, perspectives and interpretations of the traditional Haftseen table settings used in Norooz celebrations, both public and private. If you have any questions please send them to the same email listed below. We look forward to receiving your entry.

HAFTSEEN SYMBOLS
Be creative.

Choose 3 symbols from this list:

1. Sabzeh (mung bean or lentil sprouts that grow in a dish - symbolize rebirth)
2. Samanu (Sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizes affluence)
3. Senjed (Dried oleaster fruit - symbolizes love)
4. Sir (Garlic – symbolizes medicine)
5. Sib (Apples – symbolizes beauty and health)
6. Somaq (Sumac fruit – symbolizes the color of sunrise)
7. Sonbol (The fragrant hyacinth flower – symbolizes the coming of spring)
8. Serkeh (Vinegar – symbolizes old-age and patience)
9. Sekkeh (Coins – symbolize prosperity) *
10. Candles (Lit candles symbolize enlightenment and happiness) *
11. Decorated eggs (Symbolizes fertility)
12. Goldfish in a bowl (Symbolizes life)
13. Ayneh (Mirror - symbolizes self-reflection) *
14. Ajil (Dried nuts, berries and raisins – symbolizes the fulfillment of wishes)
15. A book of ancient poetry such as the Shahnameh or the Divan of Hafez.*
* these items will be returned to artist after festival upon request.

Entry Application must include the following:

1. "PAF 2011 Submission" must be in the subject line of your email
2. Full name & phone number
3. List of the 3 symbols you have chosen from the list above
4. Image(s) or sketches of the 3 symbols (accepted formats include jpg, gif, tif, bmp, epd, psd, ai, pdf)
5. Description of your entries, how they'd be included/presented on the Haftseen, any special assembly/instructions.
6. Artist Statement
7. (if available) Links to your artwork, website or portfolio

Entry deadline is Friday, February 11, 2011.
Email your entry to submissions@persianartsfestival.org

Judging and Selection of Winners -
Entries will be reviewed by a selection panel and notified by March 1, 2011.
All entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
1) representation of the spirit of Norooz and the arrival of Spring;
2) creativity;
3) originality;
4) universality and transcendence of national boundaries;
5) artistic beauty; and
6) appropriateness

Eligibility -
Open to artists of ALL AGES from around the world who submit artwork from the provided Haftseen symbols/elements. Submissions must be the creation of the artist.

Use Rights -
By submitting work to be considered for the exhibition, artists grant Persian Arts Festival the right to use their image(s) for the purpose of marketing.

THANK YOU, we look forward to receiving your entry.
Persian Arts Festival Crew