Liberty, Art, and Tyranny
ABSTRACT
This conference explored the connections between art and tyranny. Works of art, such as books or paintings, are often seen by tyrants as undermining their rule. On the other hand, modern and ancient tyrants sometimes show particular interest in the arts. They believe that art matters. Why do tyrants tend to give this importance to art? Are they justified in doing so? Could we understand art as a vehicle for conveying an ideological and political aim? How effective can it be?
READING LIST
Conference Readings
La vida de los olros. Directed by von Donnersmarck, Florian Henckel. -, 2006. DVD.
Bulgakov, Mikhail. Corazon de perro. Mexico City: Lectoum, 2001.
Coetzee, J.M. . Contra la censura. Ensayos Sombre la pasión por silenciar. Madrid: Debate, 2007.
Curtis, Julie. Manuscripts Don't Burn: Mikhail Bulgakov. New York: Overlook Press, 1992.
Havel, Vaclav. Open Letters: Selected Writings 1965-1990. New York: Vintage, 1992.
Nafisi, Azar. Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books. New York: Random House, 2003.
Tabucchi, Antonio . Sostiene Pereira. -: Editorial Anagrama, 2005.