Representing a new generation of theorists who reaffirm the radical dimensions of art; Gail Day launches a bold critique of late-twentieth-century art theory and its often reductive analysis of cultural objects. Exploring core debates in discourses on art; from the New Left to theories of "critical postmodernism" and beyond; Day counters the belief that recent tendencies in art fail to be adequately critical and challenges the political inertia that results from these conclusions.Day organizes her defense around critics who have engaged substantively with emancipatory thought and social process: T. J. Clark; Manfredo Tafuri; Fredric Jameson; Benjamin H. D. Buchloh; and Hal Foster; among others. She maps the tension between radical dialectics and left nihilism and assesses the interpretation and internalization of negation in art theory. Chapters confront the claim that exchange and equivalence have subsumed the use value of cultural objects mdash;and with it critical distance; the meaning of symbol and allegory in 1980s art and its limited reading of the writings of Walter Benjamin and Paul de Man; and common conceptions of mediation; totality; and the politics of anticipation. A necessary unsettling of received wisdoms; Dialectical Passions sets a new course for emancipatory reflection in aesthetics; art; and architecture.
#2754798 in eBooks 2012-01-01 2012-01-01File Name: B006IM933E
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Its either too detailed or too sparse but its a worthwhile quick read that will not give the answers but be a good start.By Scott SibbaldIts hard to find the balance for this book. While its more than just a free document on the web its not detailed enough in areas that most new artists find themselves in. It is very UK specific not a bad thing for me. I know that the author has another highly recommended book on the subject and I will buy this as soon as it is available online as its only in print at the moment.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Written for U.K. Residents Only...By Dawn M. WayandI expected this book to be universal in advice but it was directed mainly for those in the United Kingdom. Its not really that useful for anyone in the U.S.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. MarvellousBy dawna kingI refer to this handy bag sized book frequently since purchasing it two months ago. Its an insightful and invaluable resource. Full of essential. clear. concise information plus pointers to further information. Very useful to me as someone in the throes of establing my own craft enterprise. precisely because it offers good or great answers to all of my work related questions.D.King. Designer Maker.
