This study of colonialism and art examines the intersection of visual culture and political power in late-eighteenth-century British painting. Focusing on paintings from British America; the West Indies; and India; Beth Fowkes Tobin investigates the role of art in creating and maintaining imperial ideologies and practicesmdash;as well as in resisting and complicating them. Informed by the varied perspectives of postcolonial theory; Tobin explores through close readings of colonial artwork the dynamic middle ground in which cultures meet. Linking specific colonial sites with larger patterns of imperial practice and policy; she examines paintings by William Hogarth; Benjamin West; Gilbert Stuart; Arthur William Devis; and Agostino Brunias; among others. These works include portraits of colonial officials; conversation pieces of British families and their servants; portraits of Native Americans and Anglo-Indians; and botanical illustrations produced by Calcutta artists for officials of the British Botanic Gardens. In addition to examining the strategies that colonizers employed to dominate and define their subjects; Tobin uncovers the tactics of negotiation; accommodation; and resistance that make up the colonizedrsquo;s response to imperial authority. By focusing on the paintingsrsquo; cultural and political engagement with imperialism; she accounts for their ideological power and visual effect while arguing for their significance as agents in the colonial project. Pointing to the complexity; variety; and contradiction within colonial art; Picturing Imperial Power contributes to an understanding of colonialism as a collection of social; economic; political; and epistemological practices that were not monolithic and inevitable; but contradictory and contingent on various historical forces. It will interest students and scholars of colonialism; imperial history; postcolonial history; art history and theory; and cultural studies.
#3598862 in eBooks 2013-08-20 2013-08-20File Name: B00I2O4QNS
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Charming Little Book About Growing Up and Loving MusicBy Oliverio CasasI share five basic traits with Chuck Klosterman.We were both born in the same year; we both grew up in somewhat culturally isolated communities; we both love 80s hair metal; Mouml;tley Cruuml;es Shout at the Devil was the record that had the biggest impact on our early teenage lives and finally; we can both karaoke Guns n Roses Apetite for Destruction from start to finish. There are still some differences in our journeys from childhood to maturity; but those are mere details. I spent my teen years baking on a tropical Latin American shithole instead of freezing on a Midwestern wasteland and I had access to MTV as early as in 1982. Instead of becoming an indie rock loving hipster during College like the author I kept my metal faith in the early 90s; Nevermind notwithstanding; and moved on to extreme metal as the decade progressed; but in the end; it doesnt matter; since we both still rock to the same aquanet friendly songs when drunk.You might say that because my teenage music related experiences are pretty similar to Chucks Im bound; even obligated to love this book and that is a very valid point; but that doesnt mean anyone can enjoy it; since its very entertaining and written with an unassuming; funny and down to earth style. Since the story of a nerdy teenager using rock music as a means to escape his boring; drab day to day life and overcome his own lameness can be the story of countless people everywhere; this book transcends its limited musical scope and ultimately becomes a paean to music lovers of every genre and origin; while still managing to make poignant observations about the radical changes media and music consumption went through the 80s. Highly recommended for pop culture enthusiasts; music lovers and anyone who was a teenager during the 80s.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Love Klosterman; but not this bookBy akreaderIm a big fan of Chuck Klostermans writing; so I thought I might enjoy Fargo Rock City even though I do not care about metal music in the least. But I only made it about halfway through the book before I had to give up. I assumed that this book would be as much about Klosterman and his teenage experiences as it is about metal; but I was wrong. This book is ONLY about metal. All 270 pages of it.And what I discovered is that Klosterman is a great writer when he is writing about characters; not when writing about concepts. Thats what makes his novels Downtown Owl and The Visible Man so good--Klosterman can conjure up rich; fascinating characters in just a few pages. Sadly he cannot do the same for metal music.I would only recommend Fargo Rock City if you are/were in to metal music or if at least has some bearing on your formative years.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. EnjoyableBy AlexAs a 23 year old reading this book in 2014; I could not have been less informed about the topic this book presents. Metallica was my favorite band for 2 years in high school; thats the closest I get to relating to Klostermans fandom. That said; I enjoyed every chapter here; and learned a great deal. I also related to the authors emotional bond with Cruuml;e. That was enough to hold my interest from page 1.
