Bahman Panahi

Biography

Bahman Panahi is a visual artist, calligrapher and musician based in Paris. He was born in Iran in 1967 and grew up surrounded by the rich culture of the Persian artistic traditions. He was drawn to the arts of calligraphy and music from an early age and soon found that his practice of these two art forms complemented each other.

In calligraphy he studied under the direction of the respected masters Gholamhosein Amirkhani, Abdollah Foradi and Yadollah Kaboli. In music he studied with the masters Hushang Zarif, Athaullah Zahed Shirazi and Mohammad Reza Lotfi. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Tehran University and continued in Ecole Beaux-arts de Valenciennes and his doctoral research (the relationship between music and calligraphy) at the Sorbonne University in France.

Bahman Panahi has coined the term “musicalligraphy” to describe his work. A combination of visual abstraction, calligraphy, and music, his pieces are an exploration of the points where these three arts intersect.

Bahman Panahi has actively participated in calligraphic exhibitions, festivals, lectures, and music concerts in

five continents. He has been invited as a visiting professor and Distinguished Artist to noted universities such

as Harvard and North Eastern, U.S.A., and currently teaches calligraphy in different institutions in Paris.

Education

2018

PHD - Doctoral candidate, Sorbonne University,

Thesis: “Musicalligraphy” (the relationship between Music and Calligraphy)

2004-2005:

Master of Fine Arts: Sorbonne University, Paris, France

2002-2003:

School of Fine Arts (Beaux-Arts) : Valenciennes, France

1987-1992:

License in Visual Arts: Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Teheran, Iran

1983-1986:

Diploma, Master of Calligraphy: «Institute of Calligraphers of Iran»

(Under the direction of the Masters: Amirkhani, Foradi and Kaboli)

1984-1990:

Persian classical music education in Tar et Setar

(Under the direction of the Masters: Attaollah Zahed Shirazi, Zarif and Lotfi)

Calligraphy / Fine Arts

Exhibitions, solo and collective:

2019

- Lake Junaluska, USA, Interfaith Peace Conferance,

- Sharjah, UAE, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum

- Sanit-Amand-les-Aaux, France, Le Mai de la Calligraphie

- Tehran, Iran, Niavaran Cultural Center

- Istanbul, Turkey, RAMART international Exhibition

- Dubai, UAE, International Arabic calligraphy exhibition

2017

- Paris, France, ICI, Lettres ouvertes, de la calligraphie au street art

2016

- Dallas, (USA) Islamic Art Revival Series, IARS 2016

- Potomac, USA, Exhibit9 Gallery

- Sharjah, (United Arab Emirates) International Calligraphy Biennial

2015

- Mashhad, Iran, Gallery Rezvan

- Dubai, UAE, International Calligraphy Exhibition, « Multaqa Ramadan »

- Chalice Wells, Glastonbury, UK, Sacred Arts of Islam

- Eijsden, Holland, PAM, Persian Art Market Festival

- Paris, Patronage Laïque center, Town Hall

2014

- Rémalard, France, Hôtel des Arts

- Paris, Gallery « Harmonie Mutuelle »

- Paris, UNESCO, World Book and Copyright Day

- Clamart, France, Salon Jacky Vauclair, Town Hall

2013

- Paris, Algerian Cultural Center in Paris

- Montreuil, France, International Exhibition of Les Hivernales 2013

- Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, 3rd Qalam-Aatma International Calligraphy Exhibition

2012

- Delhi, India, One Asia, The India International Center

- Paris, France, Galerie Cadre Art «Garden of Letters »

- Moscow, Russia, 4th International Exhibition of Calligraphy

- Paris, France, Galerie Nikki Marquardt

- Strasbourg, France, Marcel Marceau Cultural Center

- Paris, France, Cultural Week, Ecole Sciences Po. (Musiccalligraphy)

- Paris, France, Colloquium «Repenser-L’ordinaire » Sorbonne University

2011

- Saint Denis, France, 4th Salon of Calligraphy

- Paris, France, Maison des Associations of Paris 7th. (Musiccalligraphy)

- Sion, Switzerland

2010

- Boston, USA, Medallion Gallery

- Baltimore, USA, Watermark Gallery

- Novgorod, Russia, 3th International Exhibition of Calligraphy

2009

- Saint Denis, France, 2th Salon of Calligraphy

- Cambridge, USA, Boconcept Gallery

- Moscow and St Petersburgh, 2nd International Exhibition of Calligraphy, Russia

- Boston, USA, Iranian Association of Boston

- Houston, USA, Saint Thomas University

2008

- Rabat, Morocco, ISESCO, «Without You» on the theme of the poetry of Rumi

- Moscow, Russia, International Exhibition of Calligraphy

- Saint Denis, France, Salon of Calligraphy

- Paris, France, Town Hall of the 15th Arrondissement

- Paris, France, Town Hall - Center for Arts Animation

2007

- Clamart, France, Conservatory of Clamart

2006

- Paris, France, Iranian Cultural Center

2003

- Paris, France, Iranian Cultural Center

2002

- The Hague, The Netherlands

- Paris, France, Iranian Cultural Center

- Le Tréport, France, Festival « Friends of the Oceans »

2000

- Teheran, Iran, Sami Art Gallery

1998

- Teheran, Iran, Barg Art Gallery

- Male, The Maldives

1995, 1996, 1997 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

1995

- Teheran, Iran, Bahman Art Center

1990-2002

- Participant in all exhibitions organized by the

«Institute of Calligraphers of Iran» in Iran, and in various other countries

Calligraphy

Calligraphy and Fine Arts Achievements

2019

Tehran, Iran, Baran Calligraphy Art Auction

2018

Art book, poetry of Hafez, rarebook publisher, Russia

2017

Receive the medal for 10 years of teaching at Philotechnique, Paris

2015

First Prize in Modern Category, Exhibition “Multaqa Ramadan”, Dubai, UAE

Publication of book The Garden of the Letters of Rumi, Editions Jasmin, Paris

2012

to date Board Member of Students Art Festival of Philotechnique Association of Paris

2011

Member of project “Art & Cartography”, Paris, France

2010

Design/Calligraphy for a Boston Ballet Performance, USA

2009

Participant at “International Contemporary Artists in Residency of

Gozo” Malta

2007

to date President of the artistic and cultural Association Lines & Points

Paris, France

2005

to date Member of The House of Artists, France

1987

to date Member and Master of the Institute of Iranian Calligraphers

2004

to date Representative of The Institute of Iranian Calligraphers in France

1998

Three works selected for the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Arts, Teheran, Iran

1988

to date International Illustrator and graphic collaboration

Music

Concerts and Performances:

2017

- Dallas, (USA) Islamic Art Revival Series, IARS 2016

2016

- Paris, Patronage Laïque, Town Hall

- Dallas, (USA) Islamic Art Revival Series, IARS 2016

- Paris, Théatre Douze

2015

- Khartoum, Sudan, Institut Français

- Lille, France, Salle Ferme Dupire Villeneuve-D’Asq

- Madrid, Spain, Casa Arabe

- Boston, USA, Iranian Cultural Center of Boston

- Chalice Wells, Glastonbury, UK, Sacred Arts of Islam

2014

- Paris, Patronage Laïque, Town Hall

- Rémalard, France, Hôtel des Arts

- Paris, France, La Maison Verte

2012

- Paris, France, Cité Universitaire Internationale, “Colloquium Making Sense”

- Paris, France, Musée Guimet, “Caress of Sky”

- Terengganu, Malaysia, International Islamic Art Festival

- Delhi, India, Ancient Art Festival

2011

- Paris, France, Maison des Asso. 7th. (Musiccalligraphy)

- Sion, Switzerland

- Paris, France, Guimet Museum

- Paris, France, ICI, L’Institut des Cultures d’Islam

2010

- Cambridge, USA, Harvard University, Paine Hall

- Los Angeles, USA, Annual conference of Ethnomusicology

- Washington DC, USA, Watermark Gallery

2009

- Washington DC, USA: Smithsonian Museum

- New York, USA: Carnegie Hall

- Cambridge, USA: Harvard University, Paine Hall

- Boston, USA: Fenway Center

- Houston, USA: Saint Thomas University

- Boston, USA: Northeastern University, Ryder Hall

- Boston, USA: Iranian Association of Boston

2007

- Havana, Cuba: UNESCO International Orchestra

(Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

- Krakow, Poland

- Paris, France: Center Mandapa

- Issy Les Moulineaux, France: Salle des Epinettes

- Clamart, France: Conservatory Henri Dutilleux

- Paris, France: Unesco Hall, UNESCO International Orchestra, (Melody for

Dialogue Among Civilizations)

- Lille, France: Iranian New Year Celebration (New Rooz)

- New York, USA: Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall, UNESCO International

Orchestra (Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

2006

- Paris, France: Unesco Hall, UNESCO International Orchestra

(Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

- Paris, France: Salle Cabaret Sauvage, Festival Mowalid

- Paris, France: Iranian Cultural Center

- Gretz-Armainvilliers, France: Town Hall

- Abuja, Nigeria: Presidential Hall of Nigeria, UNESCO International Orchestra

(Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

- Paris, France: The Caucasus Center

- Paris, France: Center Mandapa, Iranian New Year Celebration (New Rooz)

- Nouakchott, Mauritania: International Festival of Poetry and Music

- Ahvaz, Iran: Musical direction of « A Thousand and One Nights » Theatre,

Iranzamin International Theatre Festival

- Paris, France: Sorbonne University, Richelieu Amphitheatre

- Paris, France: Musical direction, « A Thousand and One Nights » Theatre,

Iranian Cultural Center

2005

- Paris, France: Unesco Hall, UNESCO International Orchestra (Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

- Paris, France: Paris School of Architecture

- Vienne, France, Saint-Romain-en-Gal Museum

- Rabat, Morocco, UNESCO International Orchestra

(Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

2004

- Lyon, France: Fundraiser for the victims of the Bam-Iran earthquake

- Barcelona, Spain, UNESCO International Orchestra

(Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

2003

- Tunis, Tunisia: International Music Festival, « Almadina »

- Paris, France: The House of World Cultures

- Strasbourg, France

- Nancy, France: The Public Library of Nancy

2000

- London, England, Prince’s School of Traditional Arts

- South Shields, England

1996

- Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ceremony for the Anniversary of the Republic

1995-1999

- Iran, various group and solo concerts and performances

Musical Achievements

2012 Member of SACEM, France

2009 Participation in music for film «The Holy Tree», UK

2005 Musical Advisor, UNESCO Paris, France, (Melody for Dialogue Among Civilizations)

2001 Composition of musical score for film «Ey Kash (Wishes)», Iran

1999 to date Member of «The House of Music of Iran»

Teaching Career

2012 to date - Professor of “Comparative Calligraphy”, Ecole Science Po. Paris

2017 Master-calsse, ICOM, Tehran, Golestan Palace

2015 to date - Professor of calligraphy and head of Islamic Art, FSIP, Paris

2014 to date - Professor of calligraphy, Institut des Cultures d’Islam, ICI, Paris

2014 to date – Professor of calligraphy, Maurice Ravel Educational Center, Paris

2005 to date - Professor of calligraphy, Association Philotechnique, Paris

2011-13 - Collaboration with cultural & pedagogic department of Guimet Museum & Louvre, Paris

2010 - Blodgette Distinguished Artist, Music Department of Harvard University, USA

- Calligraphy Courses, House of Iranian, Boston, USA

2009 - Visiting Professor « Classical Persian Music » & « Comparative Calligraphy »

Northeastern University, Boston, USA

2005 - Visiting Professor « Classical Persian Music » Conservatory of Valenciennes, France

1990 to date:

Lecturer at conferences, courses and workshops at various Universities, Schools, Cultural Centers and

Associations in:

Iran, Spain, Morocco, France, Poland, The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, England, Syria, The Maldives, India,

Belgium, Sudan, Switzerland and USA (MIT, Harvard University, Boston University, Boston College,

Northeastern University, Towson University…)

Languages

Persian, English, French, Arabic (read & written)