ARC-DECRA 2017 (DE170100104)
Original Project-Transcending religion: Pre-Islamic heritage and cultural stability in Iran
This project aims to examine pre-Islamic heritage as a potential contributor to a more stable Middle East by studying its role in an emergent Iranian zone of cultural influence in the Middle East. Understanding contributing factors to stability in the Middle East is crucial to managing Australia’s cultural, economic, and security concerns. The project will develop a situated, multi-scalar method of analysis to establish the function of pre-Islamic heritage using the Parsa-Pasargadae region as an illustrative example. The project expects to deliver insights into the culture and collective identity formation within Muslim societies, and provide a platform for comparative research in the Middle East.
Shift of focus
In light of political developments in Iran and in response to ensuing security concerns, the scope and focus of the project had to be adjusted after a few months from the start of the project. As a result, the project shifted focus to South Caucasus and Central Asia.
During the first few months, however, research on aspects of heritage in Iran continued as reflected in project outcomes.
Current activity
Having produced some analysis in Iran, the project is currently examining the formation of national(ist) representations in heritage in Azerbaijan.
This is primarily done through the analysis of representational sites such as (chiefly) the Independence Museum of Azerbaijan.
Project outputs
Books | Edited Volumes
- Mozaffari, A., & Jones, T. (Eds.). (2020). Heritage Movements in Asia: Cultural Heritage Activism, Politics, and Identity (Vol. 2). Berghahn Books.
Book Chapters
- Mozaffari, A., Jones, T., (2020). Negotiation, Strategic Action and the Production of Heritage. Heritage Movements in Asia: Cultural Heritage Activism, Politics, and Identity, 2, 1-31.
- Jones, T., Mozaffari, A., & Jasper, J. M. (2020). Understanding Heritage Activism. Heritage Movements in Asia: Cultural Heritage Activism, Politics, and Identity, 2, 32-55.
- Mozaffari, A., (2020). Heritage Activism and the Media (Framing) in Iran, 2005–2013. Heritage Movements in Asia: Cultural Heritage Activism, Politics, and Identity, 2, 170-196.
- Mozaffari, A., Karimian, R., & Mousavi, S. (2017). The return of the ‘Idea of Iran’(2005–2015). Tourism and political change, 186-199.
- Mozaffari, A., & Westbrook, N. (2017). Reclaiming Heritage Through the Image of Traditional Habitat. In The Making of Islamic Heritage (pp. 47-65). Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.
Journal Articles
- Mozaffari, A., & Westbrook, N. (2018). Designing a revolutionary habitat: tradition, heritage and housing in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian Revolution–continuities and disruptions. Fabrications, 28(2), 185-211.
- Clarke, A., Dewi, C., Greenop, K., Mozaffari, A., Salma, K., Westbrook, N., & Winter, T. (2018). Reflecting on the Politics of Patrimony. Fabrications, 28(2), 256-271.
- Mozaffari, A. (2017). Picturing Pasargadae: Visual representation and the ambiguities of heritage in Iran. Iranian Studies, 50(4), 601-634.
- Jones, T., Mozaffari, A., & Jasper, J. M. (2017). Heritage contests: What can we learn from social movements?. Heritage & Society, 10(1), 1-25.
Other Publications
- Far From A Rallying Cry, Death Of Divisive Soleimani Foreshadows Iran’s Decline Commentary after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. Radio Farda (English Website). January 2020.
Public outreach | Conferences | Initiatives
Heritage in West Asia: Stability or Conflict
Public film screening: Taq Kasra: Wonder of Architecture. Screened in National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Wednesday, 30 January 2019. 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm AEDT
See trailer.
The Independence Museum of Azerbaijan
Executive Summary
Through a generous funding received from the Soudavar Memorial Foundation (£ 4100.00) and co-sponsorship of the Alfred Deakin Institute, this research examines the use of historical collections in the construction and dissemination of an official and ideologically-sanctioned rendition of national identity in Azerbaijani museums. The proposed project is a pilot study, which contributes to a larger project about the official representations of Iranian culture and heritage within Central Asia and Caucasus (broadly, West Asia). The primary focus of the project is on the Independence Museum of Azerbaijan in Baku.
This project complements DECRA 2017 by taking a specific focus on the question of nationalism and identity making through heritage (political or otherwise) the past in West Asia. The project serves as a pilot study for larger project focusing on the region.
Current state of the project
One round of field trip was undertaken in 2019, with another round anticipated for 2020, which under the circumstances of the COVID 19 pandemic, this round of fieldwork and data collection is temporarily suspended.
Having made a preliminary visual and documentary archive for the project, the task of historical and museological analysis is proceeding with a critical heritage studies lens.
Project outputs
The anticipated output is a scholarly publication focussing on the Independence Museum of Azerbaijan.
Other outputs thus far include:
- related Paper accepted for presentation at the Association of Iranian Studies conference 2020 in Spain.
- Panel and paper accepted for presentation at the Association of Critical Heritage Studies conference 2020, London