Photography and Surrealism: Sexuality, Colonialism and Social Dissent

Description

David Bate examines automatism and the photographic image, the Surrealist passion for insanity, ambivalent use of Orientalism, use of Sadean philosophy and the effect of fascism of the Surrealists. The book is illustrated wtih a wide range of surrealist photographs.

David Bate is Course Leader in MA Photographic Studies & Senior Lecturer in Photography Theory, University of Westminster, London.

Source Magazine: "Bate's interweaving of semiotics, psychoanalysis and photographic conventions is a useful model... extensive examination of the relationship between Surrealism, colonialism and ethnography that has until recently been overlooked..." The Art Book: "new and interesting observations" "I can only advise that you buy the book" Bookforum: "provides a rich feast of carefully researched insights..." "This is a much-needed work of scholarly restoration..." "a welcome antidote to popular notions of Surrealism as apolitical 'shock art' or as phallocentric and sexually exploitative." 'Cogent and Satisfying.' - History of Photography