Time and Its Object: A Perspective from Amerindian and Melanesian Societies on the Temporality of Images

This book explores how objects and images shape notions of temporality and history in Central and South America and Melanesia, comparing how peoples in both regions live in and navigate time through their distinctive systems of images and processes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate relationship between objects and images and their profound impact on notions of temporality and history. By drawing upon ethnographic studies from the diverse regions of Central and South America and Melanesia, the book offers a comparative exploration of the temporal essence inherent in images and artifacts. The chapters delve into the ways in which individuals in these regions navigate and experience time, utilizing their unique systems of images and the processes and actions that shape their manifestation in tangible objects. Through original theoretical and ethnographic insights, this book serves as a valuable resource for scholars interested in the fields of visual and material culture, as well as in anthropological approaches to time.

Introduction:
The study of the relationship between objects and images has long been a central concern in the fields of art history, cultural anthropology, and archaeology. Objects and images are not mere representations of the past; they are active agents that shape our understanding of time and history. This volume aims to explore this relationship in greater depth, drawing upon ethnographic studies from the Lowlands of Central and South America and Melanesia.
Theoretical Framework:
The volume adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing upon insights from various disciplines such as art history, cultural anthropology, and archaeology. It emphasizes the importance of considering the materiality of objects and images, as well as their social and cultural contexts. The book also explores the role of images and objects in constructing and perpetuating narratives about the past, and how they can be used to challenge or subvert these narratives.
Ethnographic Studies:
The chapters in this volume are based on extensive fieldwork conducted by researchers from various institutions. The studies cover a wide range of topics, including the use of images in religious practices, the creation of calendars and timekeeping systems, and the representation of historical events and figures. The authors provide detailed accounts of the ways in which individuals in these regions perceive and interact with time, and how their distinctive systems of images and artifacts contribute to their understanding of the past.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this volume offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the relationship between objects and images and their role in shaping notions of temporality and history. By bringing together ethnographic studies from diverse regions, the book provides a comparative perspective that sheds light on the diverse ways in which individuals experience and interpret time. The theoretical framework and ethnographic contributions make this book valuable reading for scholars interested in visual and material culture, as well as in anthropological approaches to time.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367746995