New publication! World Art: An Introduction to the art in artefacts
Ben Burt, Lecturer in World Arts and Artefacts, has recently had his book on world art published by Bloomsbury.
Ben Burt, Lecturer in World Arts and Artefacts, has recently had his book on world art published by Bloomsbury.
World Art: An introduction to the arts in artefacts explores how theories of art developed as Western knowledge of the world expanded through exploration and trade, conquest, colonisation and research into other cultures, present and past. It considers the issues arising from the historical relationships which brought diverse artistic traditions together under the influence of Western art values, looking at how art has been used by colonisers and colonised in the causes of collecting and commerce, cultural hegemony and autonomous identities. World Art questions conventional Western assumptions of art from an anthropological perspective which allows comparison between cultures.
It treats art as a property of artefacts rather than a category of objects, reclaiming the idea of 'world art' from the 'art world'. Essential reading for all students on anthropology of art courses as well as museum studies and art history.
“Perfect for students and anyone interested in understanding the social context of art and in learning more about the diverse art traditions of the planet.” Haidy Geismar, Anthropology and Museum Studies, New York University, and Anthropology, University College London
Related links
- Certificate of Higher Education in World Arts and Artefacts
- All History of Art courses at Birkbeck
- Museum Studies at Birkbeck
- Academic profile: Ben Burt
- Bloomsbury: World Art: An introduction to the arts in artefacts