Explaining the Social Effects of Technology on Islamic Art in the New Era; Based on the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School

Currently, technology influences cultural and artistic values ​​in societies more than ever. Its development also depends on its adaptation to cultural and social circumstances. The possibility of publishing cultural and artistic works on electronic networks for an indefinite period, while creating a special attitude, has altered the social identity of human beings and has formed a new cultural atmosphere; to the extent that in all societies, both Islamic and non-Islamic, the linking between modern culture, art and technology with the help of new media has created new meanings for concepts such as freedom, verity and reality. The topic here is to explain the social impact of technology on Islamic art and its nature in the modern era. This article applies a descriptive-analytical method to examine the social effects of technology on culture particularly Islamic art in the present era from the perspective of the Frankfurt School. The findings of the research indicate that although it continuously appears that Islamic culture and art should be considered from the perspective of the spiritual world of Islam; nonetheless in the global village of the contemporary era, where technology has shifted to social change in all societies, it has become a stimulus for cultural innovation; hence, a new approach is desirable in the field of Islamic art. Conversely, basically in Islamic culture, the mystical and intuitive view of the artist on the phenomena of the world has led to the formation of art, which narrates the beauty of the exhibition of the manifestation of the divine essence in the terrestrial world with a dissimilar nature from the definition of art in the modern world. Thus, technology as the main force for creating social organization in all societies and the transformation of social and cultural relations is one of the main concerns of the followers of critical theory.

1. An analysis of the Frankfurt School's critical thinking approach to the interaction of modern technology with culture and art in the present age. 2. The study of the impact of technology as a social phenomenon and philosophical subject on Islamic art in the modern world from the perspective of the critical theory of the Frankfurt School.

Research questions: 

1. According to the Frankfurt School approach, how can a connection be made between Islamic art and technology? 2. What effect has technology had on Islamic art in the modern era?