Description
Discourse on Horror in Art
Book Summary
An incisive dialogue between theorist Paul Virilio and artist Enrico Baj that explores the capacity of contemporary art to provoke a visceral reaction of nausea and horror. This brief but intense essay analyzes how modern aesthetics have crossed the boundaries of what is representable, questioning the role of the artist and the spectator in the face of visual violence. A fundamental work for understanding the tensions between artistic creation and the experience of horror in contemporary society.
What is it about?
The book collects the conversation between two key figures of 20th-century thought and creation: Paul Virilio, known for his analyses of speed and technology, and Enrico Baj, an artist linked to surrealism and experimental art. Together, they address the growing presence of horror in contemporary artistic expressions, examining how art has ceased to seek beauty in order to enter territories of repulsion and unease. Throughout 77 pages, the authors unpack the ethical and aesthetic implications of an art that no longer fears showing the monstrous, the grotesque, or the violent, and that challenges traditional conventions of representation.
Main themes
- The aesthetics of horror and nausea in contemporary art
- The ethical limits of artistic representation
- The relationship between the artist, the work, and the spectator when faced with visual violence
- The transformation of the social function of art in modernity
- The dialogue between art theory and experimental artistic practice
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals in the visual arts, art theory, and aesthetic philosophy, as well as readers interested in contemporary debates about the limits of artistic creation. It will also be of great interest to those seeking to understand the most transgressive currents of 20th-century art and their impact on the spectator's perception.
What this book contributes
- A unique perspective from two relevant figures of thought and artistic creation
- A deep and accessible analysis of a controversial topic in contemporary art
- Keys to understanding the evolution of aesthetics toward territories of confrontation
- A reflection on the role of the spectator when faced with works that provoke unease
Technical specifications
- Author: Paul Virilio and Enrico Baj
- Publisher: Casimiro
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Arts, Art Theory, History, Philosophy: Aesthetics
- Collection: History
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2010
- Number of pages: 77
- Weight: 94 g
Editorial assessment
A brief but dense essay that offers a lucid and provocative look at one of the most controversial aspects of contemporary art. The combination of Virilio's theoretical gaze with Baj's practical experience enriches the debate and keeps it free from simplifications. Its concise length makes it an agile read for those who wish to delve into this issue without the need for extensive prior knowledge. Recommended for readers looking for a critical and uncompromising analysis of the current state of artistic creation.