An Analysis of Architectural Representation in the Paintings of  Afghanistan over the Last Four Decades

Rafiei Rad, Reza

doi:10.22034/jaco.2022.330463.1235

An Analysis of Architectural Representation in the Paintings of Afghanistan over the Last Four Decades

https://doi.org/10.22034/jaco.2022.330463.1235

Volume 10, Issue 35
Spring 2022

Pages 13-22

Journal of Art and Civilization of the Orient

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Reza Rafiei Rad

Ph.D. Student in Islamic Arts, Faculty of Artifacts Arts, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Afghanistan offers the platforms required for the emergence of architectural representation in modern art due to its history in the creation of technically, functionally, and aesthetically architectural remarkable buildings. In addition, there has been a necessity for examining the functions of architectural representation in contemporary paintings and the continuity of this visual perspective in the present era. Such a necessity has been reinforced by the unique perspective of Herat school on the representation of architecture in paintings, such as the transformation of buildings and nature into locations for the action of humans, as well as the use of architecture in this school‘s paintings. This study is qualitative research employing a descriptive-analytical method. To investigate what semantic and aesthetic roles architecture has played in the paintings of this nation during the previous four decades, data was gathered from the library, the internet, and archival resources. The findings revealed that architectural representation emerges in many forms. Sometimes it is used to describe the locations of events. Sometimes it is used as a painting pattern in naturalistic works to enhance the aesthetics of buildings. It is also employed as a visual document in history or ethnography, and it underlines the difference between tradition and modernization. Examples of cubist, surrealist and abstract representations of architecture can also be seen in the works.

Keywords

Representation

Afghanistan Contemporary Painting

Architectural Representation

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