Hybrids of Modernity : Anthropology, the Nation State and the Universal Exhibition

Hybrids of Modernity considers the relationship between three western modernist institutions: anthropology, the nation state and the universal exhibition. It looks at the ways in which these institutions are linked, in how they are engaged in the objectification of culture, and in how they have themselves become objects of cultural theory, the targets of critics who claim that despite their continuing visibility these are all institutions with questionable viability in the late 20th century. Through analysis of the Universal Exhibition held in seville in 1992, the themes of culture, nationality and technology are explored. Particular attention is paid to how "culture" is produced and put to work by the national and corporate participants, and to the relationship between the emergence of culture as commodity and the way in which the concept is employed in contemporary cultural theory. Hybrids Of Modernity Considers The Relationship Between Three Western Modernist Institutions: Anthropology, The Nation State And The Universal Exhibition. It Looks At The Ways In Which These Institutions Are Linked, How They Are Engaged In The Objectification Of Culture, And How They Have Themselves Become Objects Of Cultural Theory - The Target Of Critics Who Claim That Despite Their Continuing Visibility These Are All Institutions With Questionable Viability In The Late Twentieth Century. Through An Analysis Of The Universal Exhibition Held In Seville In 1992, The Themes Of Culture, Nationality And Technology Are Explored. Particular Attention Is Paid To How 'culture' Is Produced And Put To Work By The National And Corporate Participants, And To The Relationship Between The Emergence Of Culture As A Commodity And The Way In Which The Concept Is Employed In Contemporary Cultural Theory. Hybrids Of Modernity Will Appeal To Students In Anthropology, Sociology And Cultural Studies. 1. Introduction -- 2. Anthropology : Can We Do Anthropology When Culture And Context Become Self-evident? -- 3. The Nation State -- 4. The Universal Exhibition : Changing Relationships Between Technology And Culture -- 5. Hybrid Subjects : Citizens As Consumers -- 6. Conclusion. Penelope Harvey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [192]-200) And Index. Hybrids of Modernity considers the relationship between three western modernist institutions: anthropology, the nation state and the universal exhibition. It looks at the ways in which these institutions are linked, how they are engaged in the objectification of culture, and how they have themselves become objects of cultural theory - the target of critics who claim that despite their continuing visibility these are all institutions with questionable viability in the late twentieth century. Through an analysis of the Universal Exhibition held in Seville in 1992, the themes of culture, nationality and technology are explored. Particular attention is paid to how 'culture' is produced and put to work by the national and corporate participants, and to the relationship between the emergence of culture as a commodity and the way in which the concept is employed in contemporary cultural theory. Hybrids of Modernity will appeal to students in anthropology, sociology and cultural studies.--Cf. pages liminaires Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of figures......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction......Page 12 Anthropology: can we do anthropology when culture and context become self-evident?......Page 40 The nation state......Page 61 The universal exhibition: changing relationships between technology and culture......Page 110 Hybrid subjects: citizens as consumers......Page 142 Conclusion......Page 181 Notes......Page 194 Bibliography......Page 203 Index......Page 212 Mitchell opens his book on 'the peculiar methods of order that characterize the modern West' with a reminder of the nature of a peculiarity prevalent in nineteenth century Europe: Middle Eastern visitors found Europeans a curios people, with an uncontainable eagerness to stand and stare. Hybrids of Modernity considers the relationship between three Western modernist institutions: anthropology, the nation state and the universal exhibition, in particular examining the emergence of culture as a commodity.