پویش‌های پژوهشی هنر محیطی در ایران: تحلیل هم‌واژگانی مقاله‌های فارسی‌زبان

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to conduct a scientometric analysis of Persian-language scholarly articles focused on environmental art in Iran. This analysis is carried out using co-word analysis and thematic clustering to better understand the intellectual structure and trends within this field. By identifying core topics, key contributors, and publication patterns, the research aims to shed light on the current state of environmental art studies in the Iranian academic context.
Methodology: This research is exploratory and applied in nature, falling within the domain of scientometric studies. The methodology employed is based on co-word analysis, which is a recognized technique for mapping the conceptual structure of academic literature. The statistical population includes 80 Persian-language articles related to environmental art. These articles were identified by searching for keywords such as “Environmental Art”, “Eco-Art”, “Land Art” ,“Nature Art” and “Ecological Art” titles and keywords of academic papers published across prominent Iranian scholarly databases. The databases utilized for this search include: Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Noor Mags, Iranian Scientific Network (Elmnet), Humanities Comprehensive Portal, Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) and Civilica. The selected time frame for article collection spans from 1390 to 1403 in the Iranian calendar (equivalent to approximately 2011 to 2024 in the Gregorian calendar). After retrieving and filtering relevant articles, data preparation and analysis were performed using Excel and VOSviewer software. VOSviewer enabled the visualization of term co-occurrence and the mapping of thematic clusters based on keyword proximity and frequency.
Findings: The analysis revealed that a significant proportion of the selected articles focused on the relationship between environmental art and environment. This underscores the interdisciplinary nature of the field, where art and environmental concerns intersect. The results also highlighted the participation of 22 different academic and scientific groups in producing these publications, indicating a moderate level of collaboration across disciplines. A noteworthy finding is that the majority of the authors contributing to this field are university faculty members, pointing to the academic interest and institutional support for research in environmental art. Among the 40 universities represented in the dataset, Alzahra University emerged as the most prolific institution, having contributed the highest number of articles within the scope of this research. In terms of publication types, most of the articles were presented at academic conferences and employed descriptive-analytical methodologies. This suggests that while the field is gaining traction, it may still be in the developmental stage, with limited empirical and experimental research being conducted. The journal Foundations of Theoretical Visual Arts was identified as the leading publication outlet for articles in environmental art, reflecting its role as a key platform for scholarly discourse in this niche area.
Conclusion: The study concludes that while environmental art has found a presence in Iranian academic literature, there remains a significant opportunity to strengthen its scientific foundations. To advance the field and increase its academic credibility, several steps are necessary. First, broader participation from universities and specialized academic groups is essential. This includes encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between fields such as visual arts, environmental sciences, urban studies, and cultural theory. Such collaboration can enrich the research scope and provide more nuanced insights. Second, there is a clear need for diversification in research methodologies. Most current studies rely on descriptive approaches, and incorporating mixed-method, empirical, and practice-based research would enhance the depth and rigor of the findings. Methodological innovation can help bridge theory and practice, making research more relevant to real-world applications in art, urban planning, and environmental activism. Third, the publication of research findings in reputable and peer-reviewed academic journals should be encouraged. This would not only increase the visibility of Iranian scholarship on environmental art but also align it with international standards. Publishing in high-impact journals can lead to greater citation rates and foster international academic dialogue. Lastly, promoting cohesive, interdisciplinary research that integrates scientific, cultural, and artistic perspectives can greatly enhance the legitimacy and influence of environmental art as a scholarly field. Addressing the current challenges—such as limited inter-institutional collaboration and narrow methodological scope—can help transform environmental art research in Iran into a more structured, precise, and globally aligned discipline. By building on these recommendations, the field of environmental art in Iran can evolve into a more mature area of study, with broader academic impact and practical relevance in addressing the pressing environmental and cultural challenges of our time.