What is the force in art, C. Stephen Jaeger asks, that can enter
our consciousness, inspire admiration or imitation, carry a reader
or viewer from the world as it is to a world more sublime? We have
long recognized the power of individuals to lead or enchant by the
force of personal charisma--and indeed, in his award-winning "Envy
of Angels," Jaeger himself brilliantly parsed the ability of
charismatic teachers to shape the world of medieval learning. In
"Enchantment," he turns his attention to a sweeping and
multifaceted exploration of the charisma not of individuals but of
art.For Jaeger, the charisma of the visual arts, literature, and
film functions by creating an exalted semblance of life, a realm of
beauty, sublime emotions, heroic motives and deeds, godlike bodies
and actions, and superhuman abilities, so as to dazzle the humbled
spectator and lift him or her up into the place so represented.
Charismatic art makes us want to live in the higher world that it
depicts, to behave like its heroes and heroines, and to think and
act according to their values. It temporarily weakens individual
will and rational critical thought. It brings us into a state of
enchantment.Ranging widely across periods and genres, "Enchantment"
investigates the charismatic effect of an ancient statue of Apollo
on the poet Rilke, of the painter Durer's self-portrayal as a
figure of Christ-like magnificence, of a numinous Odysseus washed
ashore on Phaeacia, and of the black-and-white projection of Fred
Astaire dancing across the Depression-era movie screen. From the
tattoos on the face of a Maori tribesman to the haunting visage of
Charlotte Rampling in a film by Woody Allen, Jaeger's extraordinary
book explores the dichotomies of reality and illusion, life and art
that are fundamental to both cultic and aesthetic experience.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(2)
(4)
