Distressing Language: Disability and the Poetics of Error

Distressing Language explores the role of disability and deafness in contemporary aesthetics, challenging our understanding of art and poetry. It discusses how physical and intellectual differences can be seen as generative elements in contesting the presumed value of "sounding good." The book grew out of the author's experience of hearing loss and features examples from various artistic mediums, such as captioning errors and deaf artist Christine Sun Kim's audiovisual installations. Deafness becomes a guide in each chapter, showing us how artists are working with the axiom of "error" to produce novel subjecthoods and possibilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

Distressing Language is a thought-provoking exploration of the role of disability and deafness in contemporary aesthetics. In this book, Michael Davidson delves into the ways in which physical and intellectual differences challenge our understanding of art and poetry. Where hearing and speaking are often considered the normative conditions of human communication, Davidson questions what happens when words are misheard or misspoken. He explores how writers and artists, both disabled and non-disabled, have used error as a generative element in contesting the presumed value of "sounding good."

Distressing Language originated from the author's personal experience of hearing loss, where misunderstandings became a daily occurrence. Davidson argues that verbal confusions are not an aberration in understanding but rather a fundamental component of new knowledge. Throughout the book, Davidson discusses a diverse range of sites, including captioning errors and Bad Lip Reads on YouTube, the audiovisual installations of deaf artist Christine Sun Kim, and a poetic reinterpretation of the Biblical Shibboleth in response to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Deafness serves as a guiding thread throughout each chapter, offering a closer look at various artistic mediums and how artists are harnessing the concept of "error" to create novel subjecthoods and possibilities.

One of the key themes in Distressing Language is the idea of "error" as a catalyst for creativity. Davidson argues that artists can use error as a means of subverting traditional notions of beauty and perfection. By embracing mistakes and imperfections, artists can create works that are more authentic and relatable to their audiences. For example, Sun Kim's audiovisual installations often incorporate captioning errors, which challenge the viewer's perception of the artwork and encourage them to engage with it in new and unexpected ways.

Another important aspect of Distressing Language is the way in which disability and deafness are represented in art. Davidson highlights the ways in which artists are challenging stereotypes and assumptions about these communities. By creating works that center the experiences of disabled and deaf individuals, artists are able to break down barriers and promote greater understanding and empathy. For instance, Sun Kim's installations often feature the use of sign language, which allows deaf viewers to fully engage with the artwork and experience it in their own unique way.

Furthermore, Distressing Language explores the relationship between language and power. Davidson argues that language is often used to marginalize and exclude certain groups of people, particularly those with disabilities and deafness. By challenging the dominant discourse and creating alternative modes of communication, artists can subvert power structures and promote social change. For example, Sun Kim's use of sign language in her installations challenges the notion that spoken language is the only valid form of communication and promotes the importance of alternative languages and modes of expression.

In conclusion, Distressing Language is a thought-provoking and innovative exploration of the role of disability and deafness in contemporary aesthetics. Through his engaging and accessible writing, Michael Davidson challenges our assumptions about art and language and encourages us to think critically about the ways in which we perceive and interpret the world around us. By embracing error as a generative element and promoting greater understanding and empathy for disabled and deaf communities, Davidson offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities of artistic expression.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479813841