The critical corpse : re-(inter)preting the abject dead animal in visual art /

Date

2002

Authors

Phoenix, Frances.

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thesis

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Abstract

The twentieth-century saw a rise in the phenomenon of art incorporating the actual animal corpse, in found, processed and preserved forms, by artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, JosephBeuys, Annette Messager and Damien Hirst. The curators of the Whitney Museum's 1993exhibition, Abject Art: Repulsion and Desire in American Art, Ben-Levi, Houser, Jones & Taylor,claimed that Abject Art incorporates 'abject subject matter' and 'abject materials' such as thedead animal. They also suggested Abject Art is 'subversive' of conservative culture and politicsbecause it transgresses societal taboos and asserts the body, the Other and the liminal against societal repression.' The term Abject Art was coined after Bulgarian psychologist, Julia Kristeva's Powers of Horror:An Essay on Abjection2 was first published in English in 1982. 'Abject Art' refers to art thatelicits a physical 'convulsion' or tension between fascination and horror, or desire and disgust.This thesis aims to explore the relationship between art that incorporates the animal corpse,theories of abjection and Abject Art. The thesis takes the form of both written and studio components.

School/Discipline

University of South Australia South Australian School of Art.
South Australian School of Art.

Dissertation Note

Thesis (MVisualArts)--University of South Australia, 2002.

Provenance

Copyright 2002 Frances Phoenix

Description

1 ethesis (246 pages) :
illustrations.
Includes bibliographical references (pages )

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506 0#$fstar $2Unrestricted online access

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