Elizabeth Taylor in Iran, as photographed by Firooz Zahedi
Coincidence to be sure, but Elizabeth Taylor's death Wednesday morning at 79 coincides with Nowruz, sometimes called "Persian New Year." Beginning on the first day of spring and lasting for 13 days, Nowruz -- "New Day" -- celebrates the start of nature's annual cycle.
In the summer of 1976, photographer Firooz Zahedi was himself beginning something new when, as a relatively recent graduate from Washington's Corcoran School of Art, the aspiring young artist accompanied Taylor to Iran. Zahedi photographed the acclaimed 44-year-old actress -- and extraordinary beauty -- in the cities of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of ancient Persia's Achaemenid Empire; the garden-city of Shiraz; and, finally, architecturally splendid Isfahan.
Kenneth Turan's appreciation of Elizabeth Taylor
Those pictures, never before shown together, are on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Zahedi, now a well-known commercial and Hollywood photographer, explains the unusual circumstances of the expedition in this short video, produced by the museum for "Elizabeth Taylor in Iran: Photographs by Firooz Zahedi." The show remains in the fourth floor galleries of LACMA's Ahmanson Building through June 12.
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-- Christopher Knight
These are some of the most beautiful pictures of Liz Taylor I have ever seen. I am going this Sunday too see in person, and I can't wait. Firooz Zahedi is a genius.
Posted by: Monica Otero | March 23, 2011 at 09:56 AM
Elizabeth Taylor in Iran
Posted by: Mo | March 23, 2011 at 12:51 PM
This is a fantastic video. I love the subtle insights into Elizabeth and Firooz's trip. The pictures of Elizabeth Taylor are absolutely beautiful.
www.nahidazami.com
Posted by: Nahid Azami | March 23, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Can't wait to see it, I am going early next week.
Posted by: Rich | March 24, 2011 at 06:45 PM
I'm persian and admire this story on so many different levels with. Taylor was an icon in Iran during the Shah years. Iranians flocked to theaters to view her pictures, collected her posters, admired her glamour. Back then, during the pre Islamic era, Iran was the Middle Easts version of Paris. Class, elegance, style all of which represented Ms. Taylor. These photos and this story is truly admiered by all Persians, not just in America but Iran where Elizabeth Taylor took time from her life to put attention on. She had taste, she lived life, and she had a huge heart for all. That's true beauty.
Posted by: MarkJ. | March 27, 2011 at 01:10 AM