If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, even though the hoopla has died down it is important to keep checking back in with Iran.

Today I direct you to a piece written by Robert Redford called “Stand with Detained Iranian Artists” in which he talks about Sundance Institute Artist Trustee Shirin Neshat, what she told him about the current situation and the importance of the relationship between art and social action:

“Shirin spoke of torture, and in extreme cases, executions. The situation is urgent. We continue together tonight urging the free American media, in all its forms, to surface the facts and to tell this story to the world and bring attention to these profoundly oppressive actions.

Art and social action have danced powerfully together for generations and I expect will continue to be a force for all of time. Those taken off the streets are the soul of Iranian society. When the press doesn’t cover adequately the issue of their widespread detention, their stories, their voices, their message all run the risk of falling off the radar.”

Redford goes on to discuss what the Sundance Institute is doing to reach out to artists and encourage them to stand in solidarity with Iranians and also to discuss a Sundance artist that is currently facing a lot of problems in Iran.

Do read his entire piece and keep on spreading the word.

*photo by KatJaTo (CC)