Rugs, rituals and resilience: How artists are expanding the story of Iran beyond conflict

Rugs, rituals and resilience: How artists are expanding the story of Iran beyond conflict
- April 23, 2026
- Roxanne Varzi, anthropology, shares perspective on KPBS – The Finest (Podcast)
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The Iran many Americans see is often defined by conflict. But for those who grew up there and those who carry its traditions abroad, the story is far more layered. … [UC Irvine professor of anthropology] and artist Roxanne Varzi recalls navigating identity and misunderstanding while growing up between two countries, and how art helped reshape her perspective. “There’s theater, there’s film, there’s painting, there’s sculpture - and it continued, even after the revolution. My second book, ‘Last Scene Underground,’ is about the underground theater movement from around 2000,” says Varzi. [Starts 9:27]
For the full story, please visit KPBS - The Finest.
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