Representations of Pain in Art and Visual Culture

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, General Art, Criticism, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Representations of Pain in Art and Visual Culture by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781136213021
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: June 26, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781136213021
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: June 26, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The presentation of bodies in pain has been a major concern in Western art since the time of the Greeks. The Christian tradition is closely entwined with such themes, from the central images of the Passion to the representations of bloody martyrdoms. The remnants of this tradition are evident in contemporary images from Abu Ghraib. In the last forty years, the body in pain has also emerged as a recurring theme in performance art.

Recently, authors such as Elaine Scarry, Susan Sontag, and Giorgio Agamben have written about these themes. The scholars in this volume add to the discussion, analyzing representations of pain in art and the media. Their essays are firmly anchored on consideration of the images, not on whatever actual pain the subjects suffered. At issue is representation, before and often apart from events in the world.

Part One concerns practices in which the appearance of pain is understood as expressive. Topics discussed include the strange dynamics of faked pain and real pain, contemporary performance art, international photojournalism, surrealism, and Renaissance and Baroque art. Part Two concerns representations that cannot be readily assigned to that genealogy: the Chinese form of execution known as lingchi (popularly the "death of a thousand cuts"), whippings in the Belgian Congo, American lynching photographs, Boer War concentration camp photographs, and recent American capital punishment. These examples do not comprise a single alternate genealogy, but are united by the absence of an intention to represent pain. The book concludes with a roundtable discussion, where the authors discuss the ethical implications of viewing such images.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The presentation of bodies in pain has been a major concern in Western art since the time of the Greeks. The Christian tradition is closely entwined with such themes, from the central images of the Passion to the representations of bloody martyrdoms. The remnants of this tradition are evident in contemporary images from Abu Ghraib. In the last forty years, the body in pain has also emerged as a recurring theme in performance art.

Recently, authors such as Elaine Scarry, Susan Sontag, and Giorgio Agamben have written about these themes. The scholars in this volume add to the discussion, analyzing representations of pain in art and the media. Their essays are firmly anchored on consideration of the images, not on whatever actual pain the subjects suffered. At issue is representation, before and often apart from events in the world.

Part One concerns practices in which the appearance of pain is understood as expressive. Topics discussed include the strange dynamics of faked pain and real pain, contemporary performance art, international photojournalism, surrealism, and Renaissance and Baroque art. Part Two concerns representations that cannot be readily assigned to that genealogy: the Chinese form of execution known as lingchi (popularly the "death of a thousand cuts"), whippings in the Belgian Congo, American lynching photographs, Boer War concentration camp photographs, and recent American capital punishment. These examples do not comprise a single alternate genealogy, but are united by the absence of an intention to represent pain. The book concludes with a roundtable discussion, where the authors discuss the ethical implications of viewing such images.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book American Higher Education in the Postwar Era, 1945-1970 by
Cover of the book The Many Voices of Psychoanalysis by
Cover of the book Math Instruction for Students with Learning Problems by
Cover of the book Disaster Mental Health Interventions by
Cover of the book Developments in Family Therapy (Psychology Revivals) by
Cover of the book Digitized Lives by
Cover of the book The Role of Religion in Marriage and Family Counseling by
Cover of the book Rethinking Governance by
Cover of the book The Psychobiology of Human Motivation by
Cover of the book Princ Literary Criticism V3 by
Cover of the book Using Trauma-Focused Therapy Stories by
Cover of the book From Mammy to Miss America and Beyond by
Cover of the book Mathematical Reasoning by
Cover of the book The Russian Revolution by
Cover of the book Albert of Aachen's History of the Journey to Jerusalem by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy