Aesthetics of Violence: Art, Fiction, Drama and Film

Since ancient times, violence in narrative and visual arts has been a crucial component, and Robert Appelbaum investigates the nature of mimesis, aggression, antagonism, and victimization. He looks at how violence is created, contextualized, and utilized by its audiences and readers, drawing on traditional German aesthetic and social theory. The book demonstrates how violence can be both harmful and redemptive, concluding that violence is a necessary condition of art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2019
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield International

Since ancient Greek times, violence has played a significant role in narrative and visual arts, often occurring at a distance from the spectator or reader. In his book, Robert Appelbaum delves into the nature of mimesis, aggression, the effects of antagonism and victimization, and the political uses of art throughout history. He examines how violence is created, contextualized, and interpreted by its audiences and readers. By drawing on traditional German aesthetic and social theory, Appelbaum engages with theorists such as Kant, Schiller, Hegel, Adorno, and Gadamer to address the contemporary problem of violence in art. The book takes the reader on a journey from Homer and Shakespeare to slasher films and performance art, demonstrating how violence becomes a language, a motive, and an idea in the artistic experience. It addresses the controversies head-on, taking a nuanced view of the subject, recognizing that art can both harm and redeem. However, the book ultimately concludes that violence (in the real world) is a necessary condition for art (in the world of mimetic play).

Since ancient Greek times, violence has played a significant role in narrative and visual arts, often occurring at a distance from the spectator or reader. In his book, Robert Appelbaum delves into the nature of mimesis, aggression, the effects of antagonism and victimization, and the political uses of art throughout history. He examines how violence is created, contextualized, and interpreted by its audiences and readers. By drawing on traditional German aesthetic and social theory, Appelbaum engages with theorists such as Kant, Schiller, Hegel, Adorno, and Gadamer to address the contemporary problem of violence in art. The book takes the reader on a journey from Homer and Shakespeare to slasher films and performance art, demonstrating how violence becomes a language, a motive, and an idea in the artistic experience. It addresses the controversies head-on, taking a nuanced view of the subject, recognizing that art can both harm and redeem. However, the book ultimately concludes that violence (in the real world) is a necessary condition for art (in the world of mimetic play).

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786610904