In the eighty years since Marcel Duchamp drew a moustache on a copy of the Mona Lisa, the dissolving of cultural forms has intensified to the point that there is no longer an absolute, a "proper" form, anywhere. This generalized breakdown is evident in social and moral codes, in gender distinctions and personal relationships, in politics and economics, in literature, music, dance, painting, and architecture, in our concepts of reality itself.
Is there any sense to be made of this seeming chaos? And if so, can any single theory adequately account for all aspects of the phenomenon? Physicists and mathematicians have informed us that reality is irreducibly complex and plural, unable to be exhausted by any one system of description. Following their lead, Mary Settegast has explored several different ways of looking at the reality of dissolving forms, seeing it as the result of global consumer capitalism/ environmental deterioration/ the end of a cycle of time/ the beginning of a new cycle/ a shift in the evolution of human consciousness/ and finally, seeing the dissolution of form as a cause for celebration.
Each of these six perspectives is theoretically "correct" in its ability to explain the breakdown, and each can be supported by the work of twentiethcentury artists. Readers are asked to forego the impulse to choose which view they believe to be true and encouraged instead to practice the simultaneous holding of multiple perspectives: "Like the Cubist painters of the early twentieth century, who were among the first to recognize the error in a single point of view, we will be trying in these pages to portray our subject from all sides in hopes of capturing it whole."
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"Mary Settegast has written a lucid gem of a book, which challenges each of us to cultivate an openness to contradictory beliefs and a Cubist perspective of multidimensional seeing, so that we may better understand and cope with our chaotic, turbulent times. Her wisdom comes highly recommended."—Suzi Gablik, author of The Reenchantment of Art
"Welcome to the prismatic world, where what you see, believe in, and act upon depends on what happens to be lighting up at the moment. This is the world now upon us as brilliantly described by Mary Settegast. Modern art saw it first, and utilizing the creative imagination as a clue, this wondrous book paints six equally valid landscapes of culture and human life, challenging us to deeply appreciate that the soul of the world speak in multiplicity. All that seems to be breakdown—of beliefs, ways of knowing, tradition, the way the world is supposed to work—are also breakthroughs for those who let many world reveal themselves to imagination."—Robert Sardello, author of Facing the World with Soul
Mary Settegast holds graduate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University. She is the author of Plato Prehistorian: 10,000 to 5,000 BC in Myth, Religion, and Archaeology and lives in Boulder, Colorado.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 21OCT2404
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 596159-n
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9781890482916
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9781890482916
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think1890482919
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 176 pages. 8.25x6.00x0.50 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __1890482919
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # V9781890482916
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # V9781890482916
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In the eighty years since Marcel Duchamp drew a moustache on a copy of the Mona Lisa, the dissolving of cultural forms has intensified to the point that there is no longer an absolute, a proper form, anywhere. This generalized breakdown is evident in social and moral codes, in gender distinctions and personal relationships, in politics and economics, in literature, music, dance, painting, and architecture, in our concepts of reality itself.Is there any sense to be made of this seeming chaos? And if so, can any single theory adequately account for all aspects of the phenomenon? Physicists and mathematicians have informed us that reality is irreducibly complex and plural, unable to be exhausted by any one system of description. Following their lead, Mary Settegast has explored several different ways of looking at the reality of dissolving forms, seeing it as the result of global consumer capitalism/ environmental deterioration/ the end of a cycle of time/ the beginning of a new cycle/ a shift in the evolution of human consciousness/ and finally, seeing the dissolution of form as a cause for celebration.Each of these six perspectives is theoretically correct in its ability to explain the breakdown, and each can be supported by the work of twentiethcentury artists. Readers are asked to forego the impulse to choose which view they believe to be true and encouraged instead to practice the simultaneous holding of multiple perspectives: Like the Cubist painters of the early twentieth century, who were among the first to recognize the error in a single point of view, we will be trying in these pages to portray our subject from all sides in hopes of capturing it whole. Now in paperback — a groundbreaking effort to find meaning in the disintegration of Western culture by looking through the lenses of economics, philosophy, art, physics, ecology, and spirituality. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781890482916
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.72. Seller Inventory # Q-1890482919