Revolutions Aesthetic: A Cultural History of Ba'thist Syria

The book "Revolutions Aesthetic" by Max Weiss provides a cultural and intellectual history of Baathist Syria, from the rise of Hafiz al-Asad to the present day, exploring themes such as heroism, leadership, gender, ideology, surveillance, and the imagination. It sheds light on the struggle between official aesthetics of power and alternative modes of creative expression in the country.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

The coup d'état that occurred in November 1970, which resulted in Hafiz al-Asad's ascent to power, had a profound impact on the cultural landscape of Syria. This coup was part of a larger project, known as the Baathist Cultural Revolution, which aimed to align artistic endeavors with the ideological interests of the regime. This resulted in a fierce battle between the official aesthetics of power and alternative modes of creative expression that sought to evade or ignore the influence of the state.

In his book, "Revolutions Aesthetic," Max Weiss provides the first comprehensive cultural and intellectual history of Baathist Syria, spanning from the rise of Hafiz al-Asad to the transitional period under Bashar al-Asad and continuing up to the Syria War. This book offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Syrian politics, authoritarianism, and cultural life. By engaging with a wide range of original sources, including novels, films, and cultural periodicals, Weiss highlights key themes that have shaped the making of contemporary Syria. These themes include heroism and leadership, gender and power, comedy and ideology, surveillance and the senses, witnessing and temporality, and death and the imagination.

One of the central themes of "Revolutions Aesthetic" is the struggle around aesthetic ideology that has played a crucial role in the constitution of state, society, and culture in Syria over the past fifty years. Weiss explores how the Baathist regime used aesthetics to promote its ideology and control the population, while also highlighting the resistance and subversion that emerged from within the artistic community. The book also examines the role of art in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for the regime or opposition movements.

Through his analysis, Weiss sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of the cultural landscape in Syria, which has been shaped by a combination of political, social, and economic factors. He challenges traditional narratives of the Syrian revolution and offers a more nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that have contributed to the ongoing conflict. "Revolutions Aesthetic" is a valuable contribution to the field of Middle Eastern studies and provides a wealth of insights into the cultural and political dynamics of Syria. It will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex and evolving nature of contemporary politics in the region.

Weight: 694g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503631953