Title
Compulsive Beauty (October Books),Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
In Compulsive Beauty, Foster reads surrealism from its other, darker side: as an art given over to the uncanny, to the compulsion to repeat and the drive toward death.Surrealism has long been seen as its founder, Andr Breton, wanted it to be seen: as a movement of love and liberation. In Compulsive Beauty, Foster reads surrealism from its other, darker side: as an art given over to the uncanny, to the compulsion to repeat and the drive toward death. To this end Foster first restages the difficult encounter of surrealism with Freudian psychoanalysis, then redefines the crucial categories of surrealismthe marvelous, convulsive beauty, objective chancein terms of the Freudian uncanny, or the return of familar things made strange by repression. Next, with the art of Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, and Alberto Giacometti in mind, Foster develops a theory of the surrealist image as a working over of a primal fantasy. This leads him finally to propose as a summa of surrealism a body of work often shunted to its margins: the dolls of Hans Bellmer, so many traumatic tableaux that point to difficult connections not only between sadism and masochism butal so between surrealism and fascism. At this point Compulsive Beauty turns to the social dimension of the surrealist uncanny. First Foster reads the surrealist repertoire of automatons and mannequins as a reflection on the uncanny processes of mechanization and commodification. Then he considers the surrealist use of outmoded images as an attempt to work through the historical repression effected by these same processes. In a brief conclusion he discusses the fate of surrealism today in a world become surrealistic. Compulsive Beauty not only offers a deconstructive reading of surrealism, long neglected by AngloAmerican art history, but also participates in a postmodern reconsideration of modernism, the dominant accounts of which have obscured its involvements in desire and trauma, capitalist shock and technological development.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Compulsive Beauty'? A: 'Compulsive Beauty' explores the darker side of surrealism, focusing on themes of the uncanny, repetition, and death, contrasting traditional views of surrealism as solely a movement of love and liberation.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Compulsive Beauty'? A: The author of 'Compulsive Beauty' is Hal Foster, a prominent critic and theorist in contemporary art.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'Compulsive Beauty'? A: 'Compulsive Beauty' was published on March 27, 1995.
- Q: How many pages are in 'Compulsive Beauty'? A: 'Compulsive Beauty' contains 338 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does 'Compulsive Beauty' have? A: 'Compulsive Beauty' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: What condition is the book 'Compulsive Beauty' in? A: The book is listed in 'Good' condition, indicating it may have some wear but is still in acceptable shape for reading.
- Q: What category does 'Compulsive Beauty' fall under? A: 'Compulsive Beauty' is categorized under Criticism, specifically focusing on art theory and surrealism.
- Q: What is the significance of Hans Bellmer's work in 'Compulsive Beauty'? A: In 'Compulsive Beauty', Hal Foster highlights Hans Bellmer's dolls as crucial to understanding the connections between surrealism, trauma, sadism, and masochism.
- Q: Does 'Compulsive Beauty' discuss the social dimensions of surrealism? A: Yes, 'Compulsive Beauty' addresses the social dimensions of surrealism, examining themes such as mechanization, commodification, and historical repression.
- Q: Is 'Compulsive Beauty' a reprint edition? A: Yes, 'Compulsive Beauty' is a reprint edition, bringing renewed attention to its critical insights on surrealism.