Producing the Archival Body

Producing the Archival Body examines the everyday lived experiences of archivists and records creators, drawing on theoretical and practical research to re-consider how archives are defined, understood, deployed, and accessed. It argues that archives and bodies are mutually constitutive and develops a keen focus on the body and embodiment alongside archival theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Producing the Archival Body is a groundbreaking work that delves into the often overlooked experiences of archivists and records creators in archival and media production. Drawing on extensive theoretical and practical research conducted within US and Canadian archives, as well as critical and cultural theory, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the everyday lived realities of these individuals.

The author's previous work, which combined archival and queer theories to develop the Queer/ed Archival Methodology, serves as a foundation for this exploration. This methodology intervenes in traditional archival practices and challenges the notion of archives as static repositories of information. By inviting readers interested in humanistic inquiry to re-examine the definition, understanding, deployment, and access of archives, the book seeks to redefine the role of archives in producing subjects.

Central to the author's argument is the notion that archives and bodies are mutually constitutive, and the book develops a keen focus on the body and embodiment alongside archival theory. Through this lens, the author introduces new understandings of archival bodies, challenging traditional notions of objectivity and neutrality. The book contributes to recent disciplinary moves that emphasize a more transdisciplinary approach to archival studies, exploring how power circulates and is deployed in archival contexts.

By interrogating how archives influence and shape the production of knowledge and human subjectivities, the book offers critical insights into the complex relationships between archives, power, and knowledge production. It will be essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of archival studies, library and information science, gender and womens studies, anthropology, history, digital humanities, and media studies. Practitioners working in and with archives will also find this book invaluable, as it provides practical insights and tools for navigating the complexities of archival work.

In conclusion, Producing the Archival Body is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the experiences of archivists and records creators. By combining theoretical and practical research with critical and cultural theory, the book challenges traditional notions of archives and power and provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between archives, knowledge, and human subjectivities. This book will be of great interest to scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in the study of archives and the broader field of information studies.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 159 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367182199