An Analysis of Wall Paintings in Valiasr Square Using Pierre Bourdieu's Sociology of Art Approach

Introduction: As per Pierre Bourdieu's sociology of art, the wall paintings or the murals in Valiasr Square can be seen as a display of the role and significance of art in society and culture. These murals are not only considered as pieces of art but also as a means of communication and social interaction. Emphasizing the social role of art, Bourdieu believes that art is not only a creative act but also plays an important role in influencing societies and cultures. From this viewpoint, the wall paintings of Valiasr Square can act as a means to communicate with society and convey social, cultural, and artistic messages to the audience. Bourdieu is also concerned with the effects of power in society and believes that art can act as a means of confronting incompatible social and political powers. Therefore, the murals of Valiasr Square can be used as a public space for discussing and criticizing social and political issues. According to Bourdieu's analysis, the wall paintings of Valiasr Square in Tehran can act as a context for discussion and opinion exchange, which affects social behavior and attitudes in society. Also, these wall paintings may be known as a mirror to reflect society's issues and an opportunity to express different identities and opinions in the public space of citizens.
Research Problem: After the revolution, the art field was reorganized in the country, and its connections with other fields and social spheres developed over time. Within this new field, artists and mural painters worked to build political, cultural, material, and artistic values, aiming to occupy a significant social space and adapt to changes. These specific features led to changes in the art of painting after the revolution (Zangi et al., 2011: 86). Sociology, on the other hand, is the scientific study of societies, social life, and the examination of the laws governing societies. The current research aims to examine wall paintings from a sociological perspective, focusing on their social impacts, communicative potential, and action potential rather than their physical definition. This article analyzes the murals in Valiasr Square based on Pierre Bourdieu's theory. The upcoming research will focus on the sociological study and analysis of these murals, aiming to understand how they represent social, cultural, economic, and symbolic relationships at national and international levels.
Methodology: The upcoming research is descriptive-analytical in nature and method. The writer has used the findings from the research background to address the research questions. The information was collected from the library, including articles, books, and scientific documents, as well as from the global Internet network. Due to the large volume of murals in Valiasr Square, the author will selectively examine ten of them. Therefore, a non-probability sampling strategy will be used.
Results: The artist is influenced by the conditions, events, and atmosphere of society through interactions with their surroundings. An analysis of the murals in Valiasr Square demonstrates the abundance of social, cultural, economic, and symbolic elements that display authority, solidarity, unity, and more. The artists have created insightful murals by incorporating these elements. Many of these wall paintings convey a significant cultural statement on an international level. In addition to utilizing social, cultural, and lleconomic values, the creators have employed symbolic worthiness through allegorization to enhance the impact on the audience. The subjects depicted in the Valiasr murals often reflect the conditions and events in national and international society.
Valiasr Square is one of the most important squares in Tehran, famous for its historical and cultural significance. The wall paintings of this square play an important role in representing social, cultural, economic, and symbolic relations. They serve as a means of communication with society, drawing attention to social and cultural issues and conveying various messages, including social, cultural, artistic, and political ones. Situated in the heart of Tehran, the murals in Valiasr Square have a significant impact on the social and cultural fabric of the city and the country. They also symbolize Tehran and Iran on the international stage and contribute to promoting the cultural and historical identity of the region.
Conclusion: Nowadays, murals serve as a medium for competing for economic, cultural, social, and symbolic influence. The research describes the different types of values involved, focusing on their impact on the wall paintings of Valiasr Square. The cultural representation of these wall paintings is influenced by current political and cultural attitudes that oppose Western and non-Iranian culture (Modernism). While economic values did not play a significant role in creating the Valiasr Square mural, the competition was centered on acquiring social, cultural, and symbolic values. These values are rooted in the ideals of the Islamic Revolution, defense of the Islamic homeland, and the importance of family. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that symbolic, cultural, and social values have the largest impact on the murals.