Art and Identity at the Water's Edge

This collection of essays explores the significance of the water's edge in shaping cultural identities through various artistic representations in Art and Identity at the Water's Edge.

The water's edge serves as a unique boundary, rich with significance and layered meanings. In Art and Identity at the Water's Edge, a collection of essays, the authors delve into the various ways this marginal territory has been conceptualized and represented across different cultures and historical contexts. Each essay offers a distinct perspective on how these representations have influenced the formation of social identities, revealing the complex interplay between art and the environments surrounding water bodies.

Focusing on themes such as national coastlines, maritime heritage, and the liminal spaces of rivers and shorelines, the book examines how these areas serve not only as physical locations but also as sites of conflicting identities. The essays cover a diverse array of artistic forms, including painting, architecture, maps, photography, and film, illustrating how these mediums capture the essence of the water's edge. From the South African coast of Durban to the picturesque French Riviera, the collection showcases a variety of geographical and cultural contexts.

The essays also investigate significant historical events, such as the ideological mappings of the Jordan River and the impact of Czech cubist art on national identity. Post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans is explored as a cinematic landscape that challenges traditional notions of American identity, while the depiction of coastal areas in 19th-century British painting is analyzed as a reflection of patriotism. Overall, Art and Identity at the Water's Edge highlights how the visual and structural elements of waterside locations have played a crucial role in shaping cultural and national identities.