Voicing Dissent

American Artists and the War on Iraq

Violaine Roussel author Bleuwenn Lechaux author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:23rd Dec '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Voicing Dissent cover

Voicing Dissent presents a unique and original series of interviews with American artists (including Guerrilla Girls on Tour, Tony Shalhoub, Shepard Fairey, Sean Astin, and many others) who have voiced their opposition to the war in Iraq. Following Pierre Bourdieu's example, these discussions are approached sociologically and provide a thorough analysis of the relationships between arts and politics as well as the limits and conditions of political speech and action. These painters and graphic artists, musicians, actors, playwrights, theatre directors and filmmakers reveal their perceptions of politics, war, security and terrorism issues, the Middle East, their experiences with activism, as well as their definition of the artist's role and their practice of citizenship. Addressing the crucial questions for contemporary democracies - such as artists' function in society, the crisis of political legitimacy and representation, the rise of new modes of contestation, and the limits to free public speech - this book will be of interest to scholars in sociology, politics, and the arts.

"Shows why and how artists become activists, without sacrificing their art. These are fascinating stories."

- David S. Meyer, University of California, Irvine.

From the Foreword:

Lechaux and Roussel “present iconic figures who reveal to us a broad register of ways of engaging, a repertoire of argument that we could not anticipate beforehand. Thus the reader emerges with a much deeper understanding of the nexus between politics, culture, and human subjectivity. And also, of course, of the topic at hand – how artists tried to make a difference in a very specific episode of contemporary American history. The experience will be enriching and imminently worthwhile. This is why I invite you to spend a few hours with this book. You will not be disappointed.”

- Michèle Lamont, Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies and Professor of Sociology and African and African-American Studies, Harvard University

ISBN: 9780415800587

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 750g

318 pages