The Politics of Art: Dissent and Cultural Diplomacy in Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan

A new generation of conceptual artists has emerged in the Arab Middle East, supported by North American and European funding organizations. The Politics of Art offers an unprecedented look into the entanglement of art and international politics in Beirut, Ramallah, and Amman, exploring how the production of art within global frameworks can contribute to hegemonic structures or counterhegemonic even when it first appears not to be.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Over the past three decades, a new generation of conceptual artists has emerged in the Arab Middle East, reshaping the region's cultural landscape as wars, peace treaties, sanctions, and economic developments have unfolded. These cultural producers have become central figures in intergenerational discussions about the role of art in society, fueled by a steady stream of support from North American and European funding organizations that increased with the onset of the Arab uprisings in the early 2010s.

The Politics of Art provides an unparalleled exploration of the intricate relationship between art and international politics in Beirut, Ramallah, and Amman. By delving into the aesthetics of material production within liberal economies, the book offers a fresh perspective on understanding the political and social functions of transnationally connected and internationally funded arts organizations and initiatives. Hanan Toukan sheds light on how the production of art within global frameworks can contribute to hegemonic structures while also critiquing them, or how it can be counterhegemonic even when it initially appears to conform to dominant narratives. Through this comprehensive analysis, Toukan proposes a novel approach to interpreting contemporary art practices as they navigate the global landscape, as well as a new lens for examining the domestic politics of the region through the prism of art.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503604346