Staging A Revolution: The Art Of Persuasion In The Islamic Republic Of Iran

by Peter J. Chelkowski, Hamid Dabashi

A visual survey of the public myths and collective symbols used in the making of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the subsequent war with Iraq. The book traces a remarkable period of history in which the power of words and images successfully challenged the military might of an established state, setting forth an avalanche of public sentiment that led to revolution. The authors uncover the visual and iconographic history of the Islamic revolution of Iran, from the fiery words of Ayatollah Khomeini to revolutionary posters, graffiti, slogans, murals, posters and banners - words and images that unified much of the nation. The book surveys a wealth of primary sources produced by the various active organs of the Islamic Revolution. The authors examine the popular beliefs and rituals disseminated on such objects as stamps, textbooks, banknotes and even chewing gum wrappers, objects that deeply influenced the national psyche, stirring people into a revolutionary trance through all aspects of daily life.

Genres: Iran, Art, History

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Faruk T Yalcin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Konu ve içerik bakımından oldukça etkileyici bir kitap. Yazarlarının yetkinliğini bildiğim için satın aldım fakat bu kadar korkunç bir mizanpajla ve daha da kötüsü çeviriyle karşılaşacağımı bilsem sanırım satın almazdım. Bu kitap, yağlı kağıda basılmayı, daha düzgün tasarlanmayı ve çok daha iyi çevrilmeyi fazlasıyla hak ediyor.

Okumaya değer, ama orijinali. Maalesef.

[Shintimacy]

Is a pdf file available? This book could be appealing to me since the use of rhetorics and symbols is somehow related to language.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I studied Islamic cultures with Chelkowski at NYU. This book of his is absolutely eye-popping photos of the propaganda that shaped contemporary Iran.

When I picked it up a few years ago, I sat in Washington Square and spent an hour just pouring over it. It blew my mind.

When I walked through the city that afternoon, I couldn't help but notice the similarity between the design and composition of American advertising and Khomeini's propaganda -- probably because they both took their best ideas out of the same book.

[Jeff Sharlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique collection marred by poor production values and overly-complicated design.