Postmodern Animal (Reaktion Books - Essays in Art and Culture)

In The Postmodern Animal , Steve Baker explores how animal imagery has been used in modern and contemporary art and performance, and in postmodern philosophy and literature, to suggest and shape ideas about identity and creativity. Baker cogently analyses the work of such European and American artists as Olly and Suzi, Mark Dion, Paula Rego and Sue Coe, at the same time looking critically at the constructions, performances and installations of Robert Rauschenberg, Louise Bourgeois, Joseph Beuys and other significant late twentieth-century artists. Baker's book draws parallels between the animal's place in postmodern art and poststructuralist theory, drawing on works as diverse as Jacques Derrida's recent analysis of the role of animals in philosophical thought and Julian Barnes's best-selling Flaubert's Parrot . In The Postmodern Animal, Steve Baker Explores How Animal Imagery Has Been Used In Recent And Contemporary Art And Performance, And In Postmodern Philosophy And Literature, To Shape Ideas About Identity And Creativity. Baker Analyzes The Work Of Such British And American Artists As Olly And Suzi, Mark Dion, Damien Hirst And Sue Coe, At The Same Time Looking Critically At The Constructions, Performances And Installations Of Robert Rauschenberg, Louise Bourgeois, Joseph Beuys And Other Major Artists Of The Twentieth Century. Baker's Book Draws Parallels Between The Animal's Place In Postmodern Art And In Poststructuralist Theory, Drawing On Works As Diverse As Jacques Derrida's Recent Analysis Of The Role Of Animals In Philosophical Thought And Julian Barnes's Best-selling Flaubert's Parrot.--book Jacket. What Is The Postmodern Animal? -- Animals And Ironies -- The Human, Made Strange -- The Unmeaning Of Animals -- Leopards In The Temple -- The Animal's Line Of Flight -- The Artist's Undoing -- Fear Of The Familiar. Steve Baker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 191-203). Imprint Page......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 1 What is the Postmodern Animal?......Page 9 2 Animals and Ironies......Page 28 3 The Human, Made Strange......Page 41 4 The Unmeaning of Animals......Page 81 5 Leopards in the Temple......Page 101 6 The Animal's Line of Flight......Page 137 7 The Artist's Undoing......Page 155 8 Fear of the Familiar......Page 168 References......Page 193 List of Illustrations......Page 206 Acknowledgements......Page 209