In the Twin Cities art scene this weekend, a political three-person play at Pangea World Theater explores trauma and justice in a South American country transitioning from dictatorship. Meanwhile, a St. Paul art show reflects on the joy of creativity amidst mental health struggles, and 18 emerging Iranian American artists explore identity and intergenerational experiences at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Play explores the aftermath of a brutal South American regime

The Pangea World Theater will stage “Death and the Maiden,” a political thriller by Argentine Chilean American playwright Ariel Dorfman set in an unnamed South American country transitioning from dictatorship to democracy. The play draws inspiration from the rise and fall of the Chilean totalitarian regime of General Pinochet during the 1970s, a period marked by political repression and human rights violations targeting citizens and political dissidents.

“Death and the Maiden” explores the moral complexities and trauma experienced by individuals living under oppressive regimes. The story follows Paulina (Claudia Garcia), a former political prisoner who risked her life to smuggle others out of the country during the regime. When she suspects a guest in her home is the man who tortured her 20 years ago, a tense confrontation ensues. 

Meanwhile, her husband, a government official, grapples with the moral dilemma of defending her accused torturer. The play examines the enduring impact of the trauma and the struggles of women seeking agency within a patriarchal society.

Date: Friday, October 25, through Saturday, November 2

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Location: 711 W. Lake St., Minneapolis

Cost: $15-$35 

For more information: Visit pangeaworldtheater.org. 

Artists of all ages appear in Twin Cities Iranian exhibition

The Twin Cities Iranian Arts Exhibition is returning for its sixth year, showcasing a broad mix of paintings, sculptures, photographs and calligraphy. 

Curated by Iranian-born artist Leila Rastegar, the exhibit serves as a platform for 18 Iranian artists to explore their identities and personal experiences. With artists ranging in age from 12 to 85, the exhibit highlights the Iranian American community’s intergenerational experiences.

“We have abstract work, traditional work, mosaic, print, monotype and Iranian calligraphy,” Rastegar said. “It’s so interesting; you don’t get bored.”

Among the featured works is Rastegar’s “Winter in Minnesota,” an oil painting depicting a quiet, snow-covered alley illuminated by the faint glow of orange trees in the distance. The piece, she said, reflects the isolation and loneliness she experienced as an immigrant, capturing the journey from Iran to North Dakota, and ultimately to Minnesota — an outsider navigating new landscapes.

“I was a very established artist in North Dakota, because I went to school over there and people knew me,” Rastegar said. “But here, it was very difficult at first to emerge as an artist, especially when you’re an immigrant.” 

Another featured work, Ziba Rajabi’s watercolor monotype “Forgot to fly,” explores Persian calligraphy as a way to reconnect with her Iranian roots. 

“Whenever I feel super disconnected with my surroundings, there is still a psychological space created in my mind through the Persian language,” Rajabi said. 

The exhibit includes a wide range of art forms and media, including abstract acrylic paintings by Emel Sherzad; a diorama of the tomb of Persian poet Ferdowsi, by Niccu Taffarodi; and Ismail Mostaghimi’s mosaic piece titled “Madar (Mother).”

Playful art show explores the therapeutic benefits of creativity

People Incorporated, a nonprofit mental health provider, will host the 30th annual “Artability Art Show & Sale,” featuring more than 300 works by more than 80 artists who identify as having a mental health diagnosis. The Artability program offers free workshops in the Twin Cities, fostering mental wellness through creative expression. Participants work alongside teaching artists and receive art supplies.

This year’s theme, “Play,” encouraged artists to embrace the joy and freedom of the creative process. The exhibit features a variety of works, including floral and nature paintings by Cecile M. Bellamy, and vibrant illustrations of classic cars and cityscapes by Soon-Wai Wong, who is on the autism spectrum and draws inspiration from personal travels. 

The exhibition also highlights Native American-inspired art by Gayle Olson, mixed media pieces by Liakilla Briakk and Sam Greene’s surreal work, “The Unicyclist,” which depicts a unicyclist balancing on an untethered rope with towering structures looming below.

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