The Art of Revolution and War: The Role of the Graphic Arts in Iran

Chelkowski, Peter

doi:10.5040/9780755611386.0011

Cited by 2 publications

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“…The first martyr representations in public space resulted from private initiative, but that soon changed: ‘Bit by bit these representations became instruments of the state’ (Fromanger, 2012: 55). If a central task of the revolution was ‘to implant the seeds of an Islamic lifestyle in the minds of the new generation’ (Kazemipur and Goodarzi, 2009: 163), then the success was evident: ‘By the early 1980s, the Islamic Republic of Iran was in full semiotic control of the representation of itself … collectively held symbols … were used to mobilize a people’ (Chelkowski, 2002: 128).…”

Section: Introduction: Why Study the Murals Of Iran?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For many Iranians, including clergy, reform became preferable to permanent revolution (Sheikholeslami, 2000: 125). During the more relaxed period of Khatami’s leadership, there was a decline in mural production (Fromanger, 2012: 48) and indeed some predicted the disappearance of the phenomenon altogether (Chelkowski, 2002: 139).…”

Section: Introduction: Why Study the Murals Of Iran?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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When everywhere is Karbala: Murals, martyrdom and propaganda in Iran

Rolston

2017

Memory Studies

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In Tehran, murals depicting men who died in the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the Iran–Iraq war of 1980–1988 are ubiquitous. The murals represent an exercise in state propaganda, serving to remind citizens that these men died not simply for the nation but for Islam; they are martyrs. This message resonates with deeply held religious views in Iran. There is constant reference to the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. This is seen to prefigure the revolt of the people against the Shah in 1979, the defence of the Revolution against Saddam Hussein in the 1980s and, furthermore, the claim of the Iranian opposition that the ideals of the Islamic Revolution have been distorted by politicised clerics. In propagating the myth of Karbala, the murals function to control the masses, bolster elite power and marginalise opposition to that power.

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Section: Introduction: Why Study the Murals Of Iran?mentioning

confidence: 99%