Modernist cultural critique: The visual arts and anthropology

This thesis juxtaposes the comparable development of the written discourse surrounding three twentieth century modern art movements, Surrealism, American Abstract Expressionism and the performance art of Joseph Beuys, with that of cultural anthropology with regard to the role of each as cultural critique. This juxtaposition also examines the multiple layering suggested by the relationship between art, art history and art criticism to both, each other and to broader social and cultural arenas as comparable to that of anthropology to its 'other' as well as its own society. An anthropological analysis of the arts reveals their 'native' hermeneutic tradition and thus challenges anthropology to engage with realms of social discourse where it is not a privileged locus of interpretation. The crisis of representation faced by anthropology at present is compared to the crisis of subject matter which laid the foundation of modern art forty years ago.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

1988

Author dc:creator

• Hill, Diana Louise

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fischer, Michael M. J.

• Cultural anthropology
• Fine arts
• Anthropology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13289

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/13289