Hysterical Methodologies in the Arts: Rising in Revolt

Hysteria is still prevalent in today's culture, particularly in the arts, and this volume explores how it has been intertwined with artistic practices for over a century. The study of how these discourses have continued into twenty-first-century art practices is largely overlooked, despite the significant academic interest in hysteria throughout the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 380 pages
Publication date: 19 June 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Hysteria, a timeless phenomenon, remains vibrant and increasingly contagious in our contemporary world. Particularly in the second decade of the twenty-first century, there has been a growing fascination with the term, with a simple Google search unveiling an endless expanse of discussions on the subject. The arts, as is often the case, appear prominently involved and engaged in this hysterical discourse. Surprisingly, while the robust academic interest in hysteria throughout the twentieth century, particularly at the turn of the century, is widely acknowledged and extensively debated, the study of how these discourses have persisted into the twenty-first-century art practices remains largely overlooked. The purpose of this volume is to illustrate how hysteria had already established itself within the arts alongside and, at times, even separately from the much-covered medical studies, and to reveal how these current artistic practices continue a century-long cross-fertilization between hysteria and the arts.

In the early 19th century, the term "hysteria" gained widespread recognition as a medical diagnosis, particularly among women, who were often perceived as overly emotional or mentally unstable. However, it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that hysteria began to be explored in the arts. Artists such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who were influenced by the psychoanalytic movement, began to incorporate the concept of hysteria into their work. Freud believed that hysteria was a result of repressed sexual desires and tensions, which could manifest as physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and paralysis. Jung, on the other hand, saw hysteria as a symbolic expression of deeper psychological issues, such as trauma or conflict.

In the early 20th century, the avant-garde art movement emerged, and artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí, and Frida Kahlo began to incorporate elements of hysteria into their work. Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase" (1912) is a famous example of this, featuring a woman who appears to be in a state of hysterical collapse. Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) depicts a melting clock, which is often interpreted as a symbol of the irrational and uncontrollable nature of memory. Kahlo's self-portraits, which often depict her in a vulnerable and fragile state, reflect her own experiences with hysteria and the physical and emotional pain that it caused her.

In the mid-20th century, the feminist art movement gained momentum, and artists such as Judy Chicago and Carolee Schneemann began to explore the concept of hysteria in their work. Chicago's "The Dinner Party" (1974) is a feminist masterpiece that depicts a group of women who have gathered to discuss their experiences with gender inequality and oppression. Schneemann's "Auto-Destruction as Self-Portrait" (1975) is a performance piece that involves the artist cutting herself with a razor blade, a symbolic act of self-destruction that reflects the psychological trauma and pain that women have experienced throughout history.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the internet and social media have played a significant role in the spread of hysteria. Online communities and social media platforms have become spaces where people can share their experiences and anxieties, often leading to the emergence of new hysterical phenomena. For example, the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which emerged in 2016, claimed that a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant was hosting a ***** *** trafficking ring. Despite no evidence to support the claim, the theory spread rapidly on social media, leading to widespread panic and fear.

In conclusion, hysteria has a long and complex history that has been intertwined with the arts throughout the centuries. From the early medical diagnoses of hysteria to the contemporary artistic practices that continue to explore the concept, hysteria remains a powerful and evocative force that continues to shape our understanding of the human condition. While the study of hysteria in the arts has received some attention in recent years, there is still much to be learned and explored. By examining the ways in which hysteria has been represented and interpreted in art, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between emotion, sexuality, and power that continue to shape our world today.

Weight: 657g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030663599
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021