Enchanted Objects investigates the relationship between visual art and contemporary fiction; addressing the problems that arise when paintings; deluxe books; porcelains; or statues are represented in contemporary novels. The distinction between objects and art objects depends on aesthetics. While some objects are authenticated through museum exhibits; others are hidden; broken; neglected; coveted; hoarded; or salvaged.Allan Hepburn asks four broad questions about aesthetics and value: What is a detail in visual art? Is all art ornamental? Does the value of an object increase because it is fragile? What defines ugliness? Contemporary novels; such as Tracy Chevaliers Girl with a Pearl Earring; Barry Unsworths Stone Virgin; and Bruce Chatwins Utz offer implicit answers to these questions while critiquing museums and the determination to invest objects with value through display. Addressing current debates in museum studies; cultural studies; art history; and literary criticism; Enchanted Objects develops an extensive theory of how contemporary literature engages with and relates to aesthetic objects.
#3311957 in eBooks 2010-03-01 2010-02-15File Name: B00519B7O8
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