LECTURE

“De la Mésopotamie à l’art moderne : la politique culturelle internationale de l’Irak dans les années 1970”

Silvia Naef

13.3.24, University of Geneva

 

Following the nationalization of oil in 1972 and subsequent price increases in 1973, the Iraqi state found itself endowed with substantial resources, which it directed towards the arts. For instance, it organized exhibitions showcasing Mesopotamian and modern Iraqi art. The latter had undergone significant development and theoretical reflection since the 1950s and was exhibited in museums across Europe, as well as at prestigious events like the Venice Biennale in 1976 and the Sao Paulo Biennale in 1979.

In this context, Silvia Naef will examine how the Iraqi Republic utilized modern art as a tool of its "soft power," thereby shaping the perception of a progressive, modernizing nation during a period predating the globalization of the art scene. Additionally, we delve into strategies employed for the international circulation of Iraqi artists and their artworks. This analysis forms part of a broader study focused on artistic modernities in the Middle East.

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