At the Threshold: Contemporary Theatre, Art, and Music of Iran

This book explores how contemporary Iranian artists and activists reimagine "Iranian-ness" in the context of Iran's local, regional, and global position, challenging stereotypes and raising awareness of political violence. It examines the works of Shadi Ghadirian, Tahmineh Monzavi, Hedieh Ahmadi, Ali Akbar Alizad, and the electronic music movement in Tehran.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the innovative performance strategies employed by contemporary Iranian artists and activists to redefine and reimagine the concept of "Iranian-ness" in the ever-changing context of Iran's local, regional, and global position. Through a rigorous examination of theatrical and performance pieces, visual art, and electronic music, the study identifies the significant social and political interventions made by these artistic mediums that challenge and redefine established stereotypes about Iran, both within the Islamic regime and Western powers.

The book explores the intricate reception and contextual factors that contribute to the transformation of artworks into meaningful performative acts. By closely examining the works of notable female Iranian photographer Shadi Ghadirian, alongside the emerging talents of Iranian nonconformist artists such as Tahmineh Monzavi and Hedieh Ahmadi, the visionary theatre productions of Ali Akbar Alizad, and the radically unconventional sound/noise of the electronic music movement in Tehran, the book sheds light on the dedicated Iranian artists who tirelessly strive to raise awareness about the political violence inflicted on the Iranian identity at both the legal and everyday levels.

This volume is of immense interest to students and scholars engaged in the fields of theatre and performance, photography, art, music, sociology, and politics. It offers valuable insights into the dynamic ways in which artists and activists utilize performance to challenge, reshape, and redefine notions of identity, culture, and society, contributing to a broader understanding of the complex and multifaceted landscape of Iran today.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032193762