Abstract
In an era of mass media saturation, authoritarian regimes and political movements continue to exploit propaganda to manipulate public perception and manufacture consent. Throughout history, totalitarian systems have weaponized art to glorify ideologies, dehumanize opposition, and solidify power. This study explores how art, once co-opted as a tool of control, can be reclaimed as a means of resistance—an educational and subversive force to expose manipulation and empower critical thought. Rooted in both practice and theory, my work examines the psychological techniques of brainwashing—repetition, fear, hero-worship, and controlled narratives—and translates them into visual language through fine art, video, and installation. Drawing from my personal experiences as an Iranian artist raised in a politically repressive environment, I argue that visual art holds a unique capacity to challenge the mechanisms of indoctrination. While propaganda simplifies and polarizes, critical art can provoke complexity, reflection, and awareness. This research-based presentation addresses the urgency of equipping societies with tools to recognize and resist manipulation. As global conflicts and populist regimes grow, understanding how influence works is no longer optional—it is essential. Art becomes not just a mirror, but a method: to unmask systems of control, to foster dialogue, and to restore autonomy of thought.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
BRAINWASHING,PROPAGANDA,ART ACTIVISM,ARTISTIC RESISTANCE
