Analysis of Modern Myths in Contemporary Iranian Painting; A Case Study of the Works of Bahman Mohasses, Ali Akbar Sadeghi, Mahmoud Sabzi, and Mehran Saber

Myths are narratives of human spiritual past; they are rooted in human beliefs and have emerged from the heart of ancient human adventures and efforts to justify and understand real or imaginary phenomena. As myths incorporated supernatural characteristics beyond the range of human abilities, they have been a significant and favorite subject in the human mind through several generations. The events and circumstances of the modern world have led to the emergence of modern myths that represent new and different forms of traditional myths while borrowing their definition. In contemporary world, we are confronted with constructed myths for particular purposes in politics and economics the growth and development or the decline and fall of which take place based on a predetermined plan. Similarly, in the field of art, the sensitive and capable artist has taken heed of such a process. A critical approach towards the constructed myths in art has led to the creation of modern myths that have been formed to express their concerns and particular world view in the works of these artists. Interacting with the surrounding world, contemporary painter attempts to explore the various functions of modern myths in the works of art. The present study aims to analyze why and how modern myths have been used and function in contemporary Iranian paintings. The research questions include: 1. why contemporary Iranian painters have utilized modern myths in order to communicate the message of the works? 2. How and with what function have they used modern myths to communicate the message of the works? This study is a basic theoretical research in purpose and takes up descriptive-analytical method with comparative approach. The required information was collected based on documentary and library research and observing the works that were gathered using computer-based identifiers and scanners. Moreover, the works were analyzed qualitatively.In this regard, this study examines 5 paintings selected from the works of four contemporary Iranian painters namely, Bahman Mohasses, Ali Akbar Sadeghi, Mahmoud Sabzi, and Mehran Saber.The results of the study indicated that historical changes such as the World Wars, the rise of new ideologies and schools of thought, and the consumerism resulting from the capitalist world could be recounted as the overall reasons for the emergence ofmodern myths in the works of Iranian painters.The present study first attempts to define myth and its variations in the contemporary world and the views of theorists, then it analyzes modern myths and the relationship between myth, art, painting, and modern myths. Consequently, the selected works of the artists under study are introduced and a logical analysis of the works is provided. Finally, the results of the study is presented separately in the form of comparative table of categorization of the artists based on their approach towards modern myths in painting.