The Intoxication of Destruction in Theory, Culture and Media: A Philosophy of Expenditure after Georges Bataille

This book explores the desire for and intoxication with destruction in cultural objects and representation, arguing that all cultural and aesthetic value is fundamentally predicated on its own fragility and the living transience of those who make and encounter it. It examines destruction in media and culture through representations of human extinction, explosive architecture, execution, and eroticism, as well as in media and digital archives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

This book delves into the profound fascination with and addiction to destruction, exploring its pervasive presence in cultural objects and representations. It argues that the inherent fragility of all cultural and aesthetic value forms the foundation upon which it thrives, as well as the fleeting nature of the individuals who create and engage with it. The book begins with a philosophical exploration of expenditure, drawing inspiration from Georges Bataille's thought. Each chapter then charts distinct operations of destruction across various media and cultural domains. These operations manifest in representations of human extinction, explosive architecture, execution, and eroticism. Moreover, they are embedded in media and digital archives, further destabilizing the notion of destruction within the dynamic interplay between aspirational immortality and the material volatility inherent in digital cultures' archival systems. Through meticulous analysis and compelling storytelling, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex and multifaceted nature of destruction, shedding light on its profound implications for our understanding of culture, identity, and the human condition.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463724531