Conference on Symbols in Art in November

Bojnurd University in North Khorasan Province is holding a National Conference on Symbology in Iranian Art later this year.

The event, which will focus on ethnic art in particular, has invited researchers and students “to elicit the capacities of symbols existing in various aspects of Iranian art and Persian literature,” according to the website of the Written Heritage Research Center (mirasmaktoob.ir).

To better understand the symbolic meanings behind cultural concepts and adopt a practical methodology approach in studying visual and literary symbols, the conference seeks articles on various areas of symbology.

The topics for the conference include symbology in handicrafts and ethnic art such as pottery, metalwork, woodwork, glass, painting and miniature; in textiles including rugs and clothes; and in ethnic rituals and traditions such as games, sports, dances and festivity and mourning ceremonies.

In the area of graphic art, suggested topics of research are on prints, posters, advertising methods and logo design.

In architecture and urban development, the event will admit works on stuccos, woodworks and carpentry, tile and brickworks. Articles on symbology in ancient Iran or Islamic period are also invited.

Literary semiotics is another topic at the confab. It covers semiotics in Persian literature, symbolic origins in epic, poetic and mystic texts and comparative analysis of signs in different cultures and religions.

The use of symbols in psychology and interdisciplinary studies in symbology, are the other topics.

October 2 is the deadline for submission of articles. The National Conference on Symbology in Iranian Art is slated for November 1 at Bojnurd University, located on the Bojnurd-Esfarayen Road.