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In a Different Light: Visual Culture, Sexual Identity, Queer Practice
In a Different Light documents a landmark exhibition at the University Art Museum, and features curatorial essays, over 100 reproductions of all the artwork in the exhibition, and a selection of fiction, personal essays, rants, and image-text projects on the power of visual culture. This book explores the resonances of gay, lesbian and queer experience in American culture, particularly in the past thirty years.
In a Different Light engages a range of queer issues, aesthetic concerns, and formal styles. Instead of inquiring "What does lesbian or gay art look like?" the curators "How are queer artists looking at the world?" This is the first time that a major American museum has considered this important subject in a broad cross-generational context. The inclusion of literary work in the context of this exhibition catalog brings into focus the relationships between artists and writers in lesbian and gay culture, the interaction of genres and media in these representations, and the impact of visual culture - the arts, popular iconography, advertising, and style - on the formation of identity.
In a Different Light engages a range of queer issues, aesthetic concerns, and formal styles. Instead of inquiring "What does lesbian or gay art look like?" the curators "How are queer artists looking at the world?" This is the first time that a major American museum has considered this important subject in a broad cross-generational context. The inclusion of literary work in the context of this exhibition catalog brings into focus the relationships between artists and writers in lesbian and gay culture, the interaction of genres and media in these representations, and the impact of visual culture - the arts, popular iconography, advertising, and style - on the formation of identity.
351 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 17, 2015
It's been a while since I read this book. It's useful if you're interested in visual culture relating to gay men- not so much if you're interested in lesbians.
The inclusion of straight artists without giving more presence to lesbians in the book was also an issue. I'm well aware of what the author's intents were in including them in the vein of identity. It still didn't read as a very balanced treatment. Avoiding "identity politics" still adheres to identity politics- even if you're pretending you're not doing it.
It's still worth reading, especially if you're an lgbt art student. It's great as an introductory work if you are wanting to develop your sensibility as an artist and consider that aspect of your identity integral to your work. It's vital to know what our forerunners have been up to.
Likewise if you are an artist or interested in art in general it's a nice read. It does seem to be one of the few resources on this topic.
The inclusion of straight artists without giving more presence to lesbians in the book was also an issue. I'm well aware of what the author's intents were in including them in the vein of identity. It still didn't read as a very balanced treatment. Avoiding "identity politics" still adheres to identity politics- even if you're pretending you're not doing it.
It's still worth reading, especially if you're an lgbt art student. It's great as an introductory work if you are wanting to develop your sensibility as an artist and consider that aspect of your identity integral to your work. It's vital to know what our forerunners have been up to.
Likewise if you are an artist or interested in art in general it's a nice read. It does seem to be one of the few resources on this topic.
June 16, 2015
I had no expectations for this book & wasn't dissappointed.. Covered various installations with no particular group emphasis.. and if you read the pieces that accompany the exhibit images you'll find they had valid reasons for not approaching particular groups or artists in particular..
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews