Art, Labour and American Life: 1930–2020

Art, Labour and American Life explores the complex relations between cultural forms and work practices, from Fordism to feminization, white-collar ascendency to zero hours precarity, and re-emphasizes the importance of labour in cultural histories of the period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 299 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Art, Labour and American Life examines the relationship between labour and American culture through the lens of art, exploring the complex transformations that have shaped both over the last century. It covers a wide range of cultural forms, including painting, performance art, poetry, fiction, philosophy, and music, and examines the ways in which they have been influenced by and have influenced the changing nature of work. The book highlights the often-overlooked role of labour in cultural histories of the period, despite the fact that most Americans have spent most of their lives working. It argues that works of art have played a crucial role in redefining the nature of work and that this redefinition has had significant global implications.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of US hegemony on labour. The United States has been a dominant economic and political force in the world for many years, and its policies and practices have had a profound impact on the lives of workers around the globe. The book explores how US hegemony has shaped the nature of work, from the rise of Fordism to the feminization of the workforce, from the white-collar ascendency to the zero-hours precarity of today. It shows how these changes have been reflected in the art of the period, and how they have contributed to the development of new forms of labour and new ways of thinking about work.

Another important theme of the book is the relationship between cultural forms and work practices. The book argues that cultural forms are not just passive reflections of the world around us, but are actively involved in shaping our experiences and our understanding of the world. It shows how art has been used to challenge and subvert the dominant ideologies of the day, and how it has been used to create new forms of resistance and activism.

The book also explores the ways in which labour has been represented in art. It shows how artists have used their work to express their own experiences of work, and how they have used their work to critique the social and economic structures that have shaped their lives. It also shows how artists have been involved in the struggle for social justice and equality, and how their work has contributed to the development of new forms of political consciousness.

One of the most significant contributions of the book is its emphasis on the importance of labour in the development of American culture. The book argues that labour has been a fundamental aspect of American culture since the country's founding, and that it has played a crucial role in shaping the country's identity and values. It shows how labour has been used to create a sense of community and belonging, and how it has been used to challenge and subvert the dominant ideologies of the day.

The book also explores the ways in which labour has been marginalized in cultural histories of the period. It shows how labour has been excluded from the dominant narratives of American history, and how it has been treated as a secondary or inferior form of work. It argues that this marginalization has had significant consequences for the lives of workers, and that it has contributed to the perpetuation of inequality and poverty.

In conclusion, Art, Labour and American Life is a groundbreaking book that examines the relationship between labour and American culture through the lens of art. It explores the complex transformations that have shaped both over the last century, and it highlights the importance of labour in the development of American culture. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of labour, the arts, or American culture, and it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the way that we think about these issues in the future.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031414893
Edition number: 1st ed. 2024