Writing Material Culture History examines the methodologies currently used in the historical study of material culture. Touching on archaeology; art history; literary studies and anthropology; the book provides history students with a fundamental understanding of the relationship between artefacts and historical narratives. The role of museums; the impact of the digital age and the representations of objects in public history are just some of the issues addressed in a book that brings together key scholars from around the world.A range of artefacts; including a 16th-century Peruvian crown and a 19th-century Alaskan Sea Lion overcoat; are considered; illustrating the myriad ways in which objects and history relate to one another. Bringing together scholars working in a variety of disciplines; this book provides a critical introduction for students interested in material culture; history and historical methodologies.
#2178098 in eBooks 2014-11-17 2014-11-17File Name: B00Q5I0VF0
Review
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Pleasant little book; with lapsesBy R. B. HallockIn Hidden Harmony; J.R. Leibowitz attempts to show fundamental connections between the underlying principles of physics and art. Physics has underlying principles that form a conceptual basis that unifies our understanding of much of ordinary (and not so ordinary) experience. Our understanding has evolved over many years and continues to evolve. Often such principles guide the development of new and deeper understanding. Art; too; has many underlying guidelines that tend to bring coherence to the development of art; or at least to the development of particular examples of art. For example; symmetry is a powerful principle that lies at the heart of much of Physics. So too; symmetry is relevant and important in the creation of a work of art. In many ways; Hidden Harmony exposes some of the principles in each discipline and draws parallels; sometimes effectively and sometimes less so.So; Hidden Harmony succeeds in tracing a number of the basic principles and guidelines that are relevant to each discipline. It is less successful in making the case for a true connection between the two disciplines. Symmetry is one connection that works well. Another common ground has to do with the notion on of beauty. What makes something in physics beautiful? The simplicity; the elegance and the profoundness of the understanding that emerges. The notion appeals to our soul. What makes something beautiful in art? The observer likes it and the object (e.g. a painting) talks to our soul. Common ground for sure. But; there is a huge difference between art and physics (or any science) that Hidden Harmony fails to adequately articulate. It is the fact that given present understanding; physics is either right or wrong in the context in which it is relevant - whether it is simple; elegant; profound or not. When is a work of art wrong? For art it is in the eye of the beholder. Hidden Harmony fails to make this important distinction.Hidden Harmony also fails to reveal the common ground between art and physics in another very important aspect. An artist creates from a blank canvas. A physicist creates from a blank notebook or research laboratory. Each use tools and each works with prior experience and understanding at their command. The key common ground that Hidden Harmony fails completely to recognize is the concept of "What if?" that the artist or the physicist often will bring to bear. The physicist will make an observation in the laboratory and wonder; "What will happen if I do this with my experiment?" The artist; for example a painter; will do precisely the same thing. They both will experiment to see what will happen. This is a deep connection related to the notion of discovery. Important advances in Physics and in Art have emerged because practitioners have wondered what will happen; "What if I do this?"; and then had the courage to go ahead and see the result of doing whatever it is.But; those things said; Hidden Harmony is a pleasant little book to read. The physics parts are accurate scientifically and will generally appeal to any reader; even without any training in physics; in spite of occasional use of jargon or very limited explanation. The art parts have a rather tight focus and tend to spend considerable time with relatively few examples to make some of the points. Unfortunately; in a number of instances a work of art will be discussed; but no plate that illustrates that work will be present. In a book like this; that is an unfortunate lapse.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good on physics; weak on artBy P. ColemanThe author does a nice job of explaining some essentials of physics; in particular the role of symmetry; conservation laws; and the essence of relativity. He demolishes the notion that the theory of relativity means everything is relative. But his discussions of art and its connections or similarities to physics are less satisfying. I was disappointed with this aspect of the book. From the title; I had expected more about the "hidden harmony" between art and physics. Instead; I got a well done "dose" of physics concepts; a fair discussion of art; and a weak analysis of the correlations between the two worlds of physics and art.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating ConnectionsBy Ralph S. CooperMet the author. Am also aphysicist; with an artist wife and interest in art. His summaries and views of physics are interesting in themselves.
