"Imperial imperialism"

My article "Imperial imperialism". My article appeared in November 2012. This is an article about Iranian art during the reign of Emperor Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The article also talks about Iranian sculptor Kurush Laheshti. Kurus Laheshti was the creator of imperial realism. Kurush Lahesti designed the famous Shahyad Tower monument (today Azadi Monument) in Tehran. Original in Polish. English Translate Google.

''Imperial realism"

Two totalitarian regimes: fascism and communism created the original current in art called realism. He was nazi-realism and soc-realism. Both involved ideologically and referring to the academic classics. Few people know, however, that there was still a third trend from this genre: imperial realism. His the creator was an extremely talented Iranian sculptor Kurush Laheshti. Kurush Laheshti was born in Tehran in 1932, in a family bourgeois. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tehran, and then she went to Paris for a scholarship. He opened his own studio sculptural. He made an academic sculpture, often monumental. counted for him, proportion, every detail and every fold. Despite the large one talent did not find recognition in Western Europe, because his works they seemed outdated. He returned to Iran and became court sculptor Pahlavi dynasty, cultural advisor, and the creator of "realism Imperial ''. Kurush Laheszti drew on ancient Persian art, which flourished at the time of Kings : Cyrus and Xerxes. Kurush Laheshti sculptures were perfectly polished in each detail. He designed monuments of Emperor Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, barracks and public buildings. But his greatest work is the famous Shahyad Tower (today Azadi Monument - Freedom Monument) in Tehran. Kurush Laheshti designed the monument in connection with the approaching celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy. The monument stands on granite square. In the middle is a round lake. According to mythology Zoroastrian water is the older sister of the fire, because only she can go extinguish. A huge "chariot gate" runs through the center. She had serve to march troops during parades. It is in the shape of an arch typical of Muslim culture. Laheshti did not want this to design, but the pressure of the emperor, who wanted to win over him Shiite clerics. Two powerful columns symbolize Emperor Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and his empress wife (shahban) Farah Diba. At the very top there is a restaurant from which you can admire the panorama of Tehran. This the bombastic monument was supposed to intimidate viewers and throw them on knees. He was to combine Zoroastrianism, Islam and modernity under the scepter enlightened monarchy. Sam Kurush Laheshti had great power, which he used to destroy independent artists. He decided what books can be published and what paintings to paint. Several artists have been from his orders were murdered and dozens were imprisoned. Kurus Laheshti himself was racing life without much concern. He lived in a magnificent villa with a swimming pool, he earned millions of dollars and traveled around the world with lectures about art and Iranian monarchy. He was a very zealous propagandist of the 'Revolution' Emperor of the Nation' Sometimes he just complained that in in the capitals of Europe, young people interrupt his lectures, and challenge him from the worst. In 1978, a revolution broke out in Iran. Kuris Laheshti sensing the fall of Pawi Throne, he disappeared. It dissolved into non-existence. AND his "imperial realism" has not survived the test of time. After the victory of the revolution, the monuments of the emperor were demolished, and the buildings were decorated murals. Long wondered what to do with Shahyad Tower. Radykalmi Shiites wanted to blow up this symbol of tyranny. But how in Iran, it is usually common sense and respect for art that prevails. Monument stands only changed its name. Today Azadi Monument is a great tourist attraction in Tehran.