Screening the Art World

Screening the Art World explores the representation of artists and the art world in cinema, examining the intersection of art history with history, cinemas affirmation and denigration of art as truth, and cinematic representations of the art world's position between commercial good and cultural capital.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Screening the Art World is a comprehensive exploration of the representation of artists and the art world in cinema. It challenges the conventional focus on the art of cinema and instead delves into the portrayal of art in films across various genres, historical periods, and national cinemas. By examining these diverse perspectives, the book aims to shed light on the complex relationship between art and cinema, highlighting the ways in which art has been depicted, affirmed, and challenged within the cinematic realm.

One of the key themes explored in Screening the Art World is the intersection of art history with history in cinema. The book argues that cinema has played a significant role in shaping our understanding of art, both as a medium and as a cultural phenomenon. It examines how cinematic representations of art have influenced our perception of art history, and how art has, in turn, influenced the development of cinema.

Another important aspect of the book is the examination of cinemas simultaneous affirmation and denigration of the idea of art as truth. Cinema has often been seen as a medium that can capture the truth of the world, but it has also been criticized for its tendency to manipulate and distort reality. The book explores how cinematic representations of art have contributed to this debate, and how artists have responded to these challenges.

The dominant, often contradictory ways in which artists have been represented on screen is another central theme of Screening the Art World. The book examines the various ways in which artists have been portrayed in cinema, from the heroic and idealized to the flawed and controversial. It explores the ways in which cinematic representations of artists have influenced public perception of art, and how they have shaped the cultural landscape.

Finally, the book examines cinematic representations of the art world's tenuous position between commercial good and cultural capital. It explores how the art world has been portrayed in cinema as a site of economic exploitation, but also as a source of cultural value and meaning. The book argues that cinematic representations of the art world have played a significant role in shaping our understanding of the relationship between art and commerce, and how this relationship has evolved over time.

Screening the Art World is a rich and diverse collection of essays that offer a fresh perspective on the representation of artists and the art world in cinema. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of art and cinema, and for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between these two powerful mediums.

Weight: 656g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463724852