The Visual Culture Reader

by Nicholas Mirzoeff (Editor)

This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of The Visual Culture Reader brings together key writings as well as specially commissioned articles covering a wealth of visual forms including photography, painting, sculpture, fashion, advertising, television, cinema and digital culture.
The Reader features an introductory section tracing the development of visual culture studies in response to globalization and digital culture, and articles grouped into thematic sections, each prefaced by an introduction by the editor and conclude with suggestions for further reading.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Sociology, Academia

760 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 1998

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a fabulous way to be exposed to some critical original source material for those studying visual culture. It isn't coming at the visual from an art perspective, but a theoretical perspective, and it's not just fine art. Very informative and a must read.

[David Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of some great essential essays... but in many ways, despite the editor's intent, such a book really extinguishes Visual Culture's radical potential by virtue of making it a canon of sorts.

[emi k · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best "reader" on visual culture i've ever read, and i've read many. Althusser, Barthes, Baudrillard, Butler, Dubois, Fanon, GUY DEBORD (!!!), Descarte, Foucault, Haraway, Shohat(!!!), Halberstam, and the list goes on and on. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rules, if you are into conceptual art at all or you're interested in how contemporary theories of art are influencing cultural studies, read this bitch!

[Vanessa]

i really want to get through this book. technically i've been 'currently reading' this for about 5 years. it's the first essay that makes my brain spin. but it's by the editor and i feel like i owe it to him to finish it! once i get through that one, i think the other essays will be much more manageable.

[Katie Chico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific collection of essays I had to read for my Master's course work. I still have it to this day and often find myself referencing many of the essays. This really is a must read for anyone serious about deconstruction of visual culture or for anyone who wants to be able to appreciate it more.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

some amazing pieces on the gaze, visual colonialism, digital culture, etc.. While this edition may be out of date, the ideas are not.. A keeper for certain.

[Merve]

A great collection of essays. You cannot just read it and be done with it. It is more of an ongoing reading experience that requires one to read some of the essays again and again.