Front Row - 30/01/2009

Presented by John Wilson. John reports from Esfahan, the former capital of Iran, as British Museum director Neil MacGregor negotiates the loan of treasures for the exhibition Shah 'Abbas: The Remaking Of Iran. Following on from his exhibition of works from China, Charles Saatchi latest collection is of contemporary art works from the Middle East. Rebecca Wilson of the Saatchi Gallery and Iranian artist Tala Madani reflect on the themes and issues featured in the work of over 20 artists from across the region. Documentary maker Norma Percy talks about Iran and the West in three hour-long films for television, marking the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Programme One looks at the first decade after the revolution. Programme Two examines terrorism, including the Hezbollah kidnappings of westerners in the 1980s. Programme Three looks at the modern day relationship between the US and Iran and the nuclear negotiation struggles.