Reflections on Persian Contemporary Art
Anita Hosseini
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Art History
2025W, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05715
Description
Contemporary Iranian art occupies a complex space at the intersection of aesthetics, politics, and social transformation. Within a repressive regime that systematically censors dissent, artistic practices emerge that confront the boundaries of expression while giving form to resistance, memory, and hope.
This seminar explores how artists in Iran—and in the Iranian diaspora—respond to authoritarian structures, state control, and systemic violence. We will examine the diverse strategies used to circumvent censorship, process trauma, and create new spaces for articulation. Special attention will be given to feminist movements and the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” which has become a global symbol of resistance since the protests of autumn 2022.
We will investigate the aesthetic and political dimensions of artworks that engage with themes such as identity, memory, exile, and belonging, while also reflecting on the tensions between art produced inside Iran and in the transnational context.
The seminar invites students and participants interested in the intersection of art, politics, and society to engage in a critical dialogue about artistic forms that assert their transformative power in the face of repression and risk.
Examination Modalities
- Regular attendance (at least 80% attendance),
- Active participation, including reading and contributing to discussions, as well as
- Taking on a presentation topic and
- A written paper on a topic from the seminar.
Comments
The language skills of the participating students determine the language of the seminar. If the majority of participants are English speakers, the seminar will be held in English. Most of the texts to be discussed are in English.
Key Words
Contemporary art, trauma, resistance, identity, politics, diaspora, feminism, freedom of art, censorship
Dates
07 October 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22 (preliminary discussion)
14 October 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
21 October 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
28 October 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
04 November 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
11 November 2025, 13:15–15:15, "Studi Visit: Soli Kiani"
25 November 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
02 December 2025, 13:15–15:15, "Studio Visit: Donya Alipour"
09 December 2025, 13:45–15:15, "BR 11 / VZA7 / 4th floor"
16 December 2025, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
13 January 2026, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
20 January 2026, 13:15–15:15 Seminar Room 22
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 09:00 to 05 October 2025, 09:01
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.85
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 067/003.25
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.85
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 074/003.25
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Art History 537/080.10
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kunstgeschichte 542/207.01
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kunstgeschichte 566/208.12
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kunstgeschichte 567/208.12
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Art History 568/005.03
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Art History 568/006.03
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/203.02
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/202.01
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Artistic Strategies and Approaches to Art: Deepening and Application 700/001.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible