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Saving Beauty
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Saving Beauty
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See moreBeauty today is a paradox. The cult of beauty is ubiquitous but it has lost its transcendence and become little more than an aspect of consumerism, the aesthetic dimension of capitalism. The sublime and unsettling aspects of beauty have given way to corporeal pleasures and 'likes', resulting in a kind of 'pornography' of beauty.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
Beauty today is a paradox. The cult of beauty is ubiquitous but it has lost its transcendence and become little more than an aspect of consumerism, the aesthetic dimension of capitalism. The sublime and unsettling aspects of beauty have given way to corporeal pleasures and 'likes', resulting in a kind of 'pornography' of beauty.
In this book, cultural theorist Byung-Chul Han reinvigorates aesthetic theory for our digital age. He interrogates our preoccupation with all things slick and smooth, from Jeff Koons' sculptures and the iPhone to Brazilian waxing. Reaching far deeper than our superficial reactions to viral videos and memes, Han reclaims beauty, showing how it manifests itself as truth, temptation and even disaster.
This wide-ranging and profound exploration of beauty, encompassing ethical and political considerations as well as aesthetic, will appeal to all those interested in cultural and aesthetic theory, philosophy and digital media.
Saving Beauty provides a critical reflection on the nature of beauty in contemporary culture, urging readers to look beyond the surface to appreciate its deeper implications.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Saving Beauty by Byung-Chul Han challenges the modern perception of beauty by advocating for an aesthetic that embraces truth and the complexities of life, including negativity and disaster. The book is praised for its engaging prose and its passionate argument for a deeper understanding of beauty beyond superficial appearances, urging readers to reconsider how they perceive beauty in a fast-paced, digital world.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781509515103
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 October 2017
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Polity Press
Contributors:
- Translated by Daniel Steuer
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 10.0mm
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 136g
Pages: 120
About the Author
Byung-Chul Han is a Korean-born Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Studies who teaches at the University of the Arts (UdK) in Berlin. He is the author of more than 20 books including The Scent of Time, The Transparency Society and The Burnout Society.
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