Photography and Political Aesthetics

This book explores the creative uses of photography with political purpose, examining twentieth-century thinking and identifying political ideas that drive practical strategies in the twenty-first century. It focuses on the exchange of ideas between visual practice and theories, examining projects from post-colonial and feminist thinking, post-humanism, and cultural and social theory. It identifies photography as politically productive when positioned within political movements and champions practices that perform, investigate, or give attention to presentation and public dissemination.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the innovative applications of photography for political purposes, encompassing both the subjects depicted and the political perspectives that shape our interpretations. Part I provides a review of twentieth-century thought that has shaped attitudes toward photography and politics, while Part II identifies the political ideologies driving practical strategies in the twenty-first century. It explores the politics of photography by examining how it impacts individuals' lives and agency, including attitudes toward difference and identity, power relations between institutions, individuals, and communities, and the effects of trauma and global change. By focusing on the exchange of ideas between visual practice and theoretical frameworks, the book examines a selection of projects from various perspectives, such as post-colonial and feminist thinking, post-humanism, and cultural and social theory. It draws upon references from renowned scholars like Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Achille Mbembe, Bruno Latour, and Chantal Mouffe. The pursuit of 'political aesthetics' draws inspiration from Jacques Rancière's ideas about cultural production. Photography and Political Aesthetics identifies photography as politically productive when embedded within political movements and advocates for practices that perform, investigate, or emphasize presentation and public dissemination. This book is an invaluable resource for students studying photography, art and aesthetics, visual politics, and cultural studies, as well as researchers across the fields of photography, media, art, and politics.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367609160