Zemni Design

Assignment 4 : Greed Game – Iran

Iran SAVAK

Overall messages/tensions:

deep-rooted ‘spiritual’, sufi and also progressive art ‘feminine’ side (even lorry drivers I met in the 70s could recite poetry and the Shah and his father implemented social reforms eg in position of women) which became linked to corruption of the elite class
the very conservative male domination of the mullahs that took over with a promise to address poverty, stamp out corruption and provide a strong moral government
schizophrenia of the shah living in a fairy world of the past and imposing it with torture and repression that is intensified now under the Islamic Revolution (though currently – temporarily?? – relaxing somewhat after the nuclear deal)

Colours: like Isfahan and other mosques: deep blue, turquoise, gold and light purple

Shape dynamics: wavy, swirly Arabesques overlaid by vertical bars and shadowy figures in the dark

Materials: juxtaposing Gouache miniatures (maybe on top of photos) and transparency slides as whitewash/overlay hiding what is underneath

Allies: