The art of cruelty
Book • 2011
'The Art of Cruelty: A Reckoning' delves into the complex relationship between cruelty, art, and society.
Maggie Nelson navigates a wide range of artistic expressions, from literature and film to performance art, examining how cruelty manifests and is perceived.
The book grapples with ethical questions surrounding the representation of violence and suffering, challenging conventional notions of empathy and spectatorship.
Nelson blends personal anecdotes with philosophical inquiry, creating a nuanced exploration of the cultural fascination with cruelty.
Through close readings of various artworks, she seeks to understand the motivations behind both the creation and consumption of violent imagery, ultimately questioning the boundaries of artistic expression and its impact on our collective consciousness.
Maggie Nelson navigates a wide range of artistic expressions, from literature and film to performance art, examining how cruelty manifests and is perceived.
The book grapples with ethical questions surrounding the representation of violence and suffering, challenging conventional notions of empathy and spectatorship.
Nelson blends personal anecdotes with philosophical inquiry, creating a nuanced exploration of the cultural fascination with cruelty.
Through close readings of various artworks, she seeks to understand the motivations behind both the creation and consumption of violent imagery, ultimately questioning the boundaries of artistic expression and its impact on our collective consciousness.
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Rachel Zucker
Maggie Nelson
Episode 82: Maggie Nelson
