NEW YORK—What do you U2 guitarist the Edge, New Museum director Lisa Phillips, and actress Gina Gershon all have in common? Judging by their presence at the opening of a new exhibition at a temporary location on the second floor of 195 Bowery, they all have an interest in Iranian contemporary art.

The exhibition, entitled “1001 Colors: Contemporary Art from Iran” features 24 artists currently working in the nation, some of whom — such as Sassan Gharedaghlou, Mohammad Rahimi, Arash Fesharaki, and Saba Masoumian — have never shown their work outside of their home country before.

The show is the brainchild of art consultant Nina Seirafi, who selected the 50 works for the show, which is housed just above the DCKT Contemporary gallery, a few feet from the entrance of the New Museum.

Other people who made it out to the opening included the Edge’s wife, choreographer and dancer Morleigh Steinberg, Iranian composer Hafez Nazeri, and artist Will Ryman, who normally uses the exhibition space as his studio.

Click the photo gallery at left to see images from the opening party.