The Craft Contemporary and Farhang Foundation present the juried exhibition Focus Iran 3: Contemporary Photography and Video, on display from Jan. 27 to May 12. An opening VIP donor reception and prize ceremony will be held on Friday, Jan. 25 from 7-10 p.m.

Focus Iran is a series of biennial exhibitions that feature a distinctive perspective about Iran through photography and video works. (photo courtesy of the Craft Contemporary and the artists)

Focus Iran is a series of biennial exhibitions that feature a distinctive perspective about Iran through photography and video works. This year’s theme puts a lens on Iranian youth culture.

An international panel of jurors selected forty-two photographs and videos that will be displayed in the group exhibition. The exhibition will continue to the UC Irvine’s Viewpoint Gallery from Oct. 5 to Nov. 5.

The artists selected for the exhibition reside mostly in Iran or the United States, with some residing in countries such as Canada, France, Italy and Portugal. Each were selected for their multifaceted and intriguing views into young Iranians and how they navigate their lives. Some portraits reveal personal style or street fashion, while others show time spent participating in leisure activities such as sport or music. Other works explore queer identity and gender representations, as well as the relationship that youth have with religion, family and the state.

The top three cash prize winners are a photograph by Hushidar Mortezaie and Jiyan Zandi, a video work by Labkhand Olfatmanesh and Gazelle Samizay, and a photograph by Milad Karamooz.

The jury panel consisted of prominent Iranian photographers Mehrdad Afsari, Babak Tafreshi and Maryam Zandi; Iranian cinematographer and director Seifollah Samadian; the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Associate Curator of Photography Amanda Maddox; Iranian gallerist and educator Aria Eghbal; and the Craft Contemporary’s Exhibitions Curator Holly Jerger.

“This year’s work is the strongest to date as the focus on youth culture has opened a door to imagination and social reporting that combines the fresh and ancient in an extraordinary way,” said Craft Contemporary Executive Director Suzanne Isken.

“Focus Iran 3 is bringing to Los Angeles the vibrant energy of Iranian youth; a lot of uncertainty about their future, but still hopeful, fun, progressive and ready to be a part of the larger global village,” said Amirali Angha, chair of the Farhang Foundation Fine Arts Council.

Opening reception tickets start at $45.

The Craft Contemporary is located at 5814 Wilshire Blvd. For information and tickets, visit cafam.org.