Visual Representations of Iran: A conference, film season and photographic exhibition (Prepared and edited by Dr. P. Khosronejad) (original) (raw)

Convenors Prof. Roy Dilley (Head of Department of Social Anthropology, University of St. Andrews) Dr. Pedram Khosronejad (Department of Social Anthropology and Research Fellow in The Institute for Iranian Studies, University of St. Andrews). 13-16 June 2008 (conference and film season), 5-18 June 2008 (exhibition) University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. A conference, film season and photographic exhibition that aim 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 & Experimental Film Center, Documentary Filmmakers Society, Farabi Cinema Foundation, Houtan Scholarship Foundation, Iran Cultural Heritage Organisation, Iranian Young Cinema Society, Bank Julius Baer, Ravayat-e Fath Institute, Visual Media Institute, Young Filmmaker House. Summary 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).