Role of Documentary Photography in the Period of Revolution and War: Examining Some Viewpoints of George Lukács and Arnold Hauser

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Art Studies, Faculty of Theories and Art Studies, Art University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. in Political Science, Associate Professor, School of Cinema and Theater, Art University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
Problem statement: Few studies have examined the role of documentary photography in the political, social, and cultural structures, in reflecting the events of the 1979 revolution and the war against Iraq, with social documentary, news, and war approaches.
Research objectives: This article aimed to study the relationship between documentary photography and the events of this decade, and examine the quality of documentary photography in the ruling power policies by using some viewpoints of Lukács and Hauser.
Research method: This qualitative research, used the descriptive-analytical method, and data were obtained from the written printed, and electronic literature.
Conclusion: Studies showed that documentary photography in this decade influenced the political, social, and cultural structures and in turn was influenced by the policies and ideology of the ruling power. Using photographs by the ruling power for propaganda-political purposes gave photography an institutional and ideological function and by the limitation socio-political sphere, photographers could not reflect the spirit of all dimensions of their era. Some factors, such as establishing publishing houses, printing photography books and magazines, establishing the photography field, and holding photography annuals and exhibitions, contributed to the development of documentary photography, and factors such as the limitation in the socio-political atmosphere, censorship and insecurity hindered its progress. Photographs that were in line with the ideology of the ruling political power or one of its idealisms were supported. According to the presented, documentary photography trend in the revolution and war period has been relatively in line with the views expressed by Lukács and Hauser.

Keywords

References

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The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar
Volume 19, Issue 117
March 2023
Pages 33-46

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