Visual Representations of Iran

In recent years, there has been a steady growth in, and global recognition of, the innovative qualities of Iranian cinema and visual arts. Yet, at the same time, Iran occupies an ambiguous place in the imagination of the West. As a field of academic inquiry, contemporary Visual Anthropology opens up a range of possibilities for examining the ambiguities that surround the imaginations and representations of Iran.

Drawing from the broad spectrum of theoretical approaches that span the poetics and practice of filmmaking, photography as well as the art and politics of representation, Visual Anthropology poses a series of questions that may be the basis for dialogue and debate over images of Iran between scholars from a variety of disciplines.

A four day programme will investigate these issues within the context of a conference, a film season and a photographic exhibition (the exhibition will remain on view after the conclusion of the four day programme).

 

A conference, film season and photographic exhibition that aims to interpret and theorise visual representations of Iran in ethnographic, documentary and feature films, as well as other visual art forms.

Presented by

The Department of Social Anthropology, the Institute for Iranian Studies and the Centre for Film Studies of the University of St. Andrews and the Iran Heritage Foundation

with the support of

Centro Incontri Umani, Documentary Filmmakers Society, Houtan Scholarship Foundation, Ravayat-e Fath Institute, Bank Julius Baer, PARSA Community Foundation, The Wenner-Gren Foundation.

Programme supervisory board

• Prof Ali Ansari (Professor in Modern History and Director of Institute for Iranian Studies, University of St. Andrews)
• Prof Roy Dilley (Head of Department of Social Anthropology, University of St. Andrews) (Chair)
• Mrs Mahboubeh Honarian (President of Iranian Documentary Filmmakers Society, Iran)
• Prof Dina Iordanova (Professor and Chair in Film Studies, University of St. Andrews)
• Dr Pedram Khosronejad (Department of Social Anthropology and Research Fellow in The Institute for Iranian Studies, University of St. Andrews)
• Prof Hamid Naficy (Professor of Communication, Department of Radio, TV, Film, Northwestern University)

Enquiries and additional information and details

Dr Pedram Khosronejad
Department of Social Anthropology & Institute for Iranian Studies
University of St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9AL
Tel: +44 (1334) 461968
Fax: +44 (1334) 462985

© 2007 University of St Andrews

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