Artist as Politician: Iran’s Mousavi comments on artists and political responsibility
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 by Lucinda M. Dugger
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The recent election in Iran has been getting a lot of press coverage lately. News sources have mentioned that opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has embraced Twitter, cell phones, and websites to take action in the election dispute, is also a painter and architect.
Mr. Mousavi is not alone among artists who take their chances with politics. Many politicians began their careers as artists before moving into politics. Others, though they focus their life’s work on politics, are avid fans of the arts, even dabbling in one or more areas of artistic expression. And still others are able to maintain somewhat parallel careers, moving fluidly between arts and politics.
Mr. Mousavi is a well-respected architect in Iran, who has designed the Iranian Art Academy building (where he is also the Director) among other places. Of his design-style, a close relative said,
“He takes some elements of modern Japanese architecture, and American postmodern, and then puts them in the context of Iranian architecture.”
He is also a painter who recognizes the relationship between artistic expression and political contributions.
He said that “the paint brush will never take the place of the communal struggle for freedom. It must be said that the expressive work of any painter or artist will not minimize the need to perform his social responsibilities. Yet it is within the scope of these responsibilities that his art can provide a vision for a way of living in an alternative future.”
This quote seems to sum up quite nicely the important role that artists and their expression can play in political movements. It is not enough for artists to merely create their work, but they must also be willing to take action on issues that they deem important. The true power of artists lies within the combination of creative expression and social and political action.
Mr. Mousavi’s wife is also an artist. In the early years, she was more well-known than he as a prominent sculptor who has works in many public places in Iran. (They actually met at one of her art show openings.) And, she has taken it upon herself to be a voice for women’s rights and freedom in Iran.
Of course, all around the world, political leaders are or have been artists. To name just a few: Our own President Obama has written and published two books. Former President Bill Clinton was an avid saxophone player and enthusiast. Former President Reagan was an actor and President of the Screen Actors Guild. Former President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic was a playwright and essayist. We have also seen Arnold Schwarzenegger move from bodybuilder to actor to politician. And, former Mayor of Fresno, CA Alan Autry, was an actor that moved into politics.
At all levels of governance, artists are speaking up about political issues and getting involved. Thanks to all of you who recognize the importance between creative expression and political engagement.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
How ironic, then, that some of the copyright owners who fund this site used spurious DMCA takedown notices to censor impactful, original, creative political commentary videos posted on YouTube during the last US election cycle. How ironic, too, that groups like the Church of Scientology use copyright law to stifle public criticism of their organization on matters of public concern. I agree with you that creative expression is vital to political engagement. I simply feel compelled to point out that copyright law written to serve special interests is also used to suppress political speech.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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