American Muse: Anthropological Excursions into Art and Aesthetics

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000. xix, 235 pages, illustrations; 22 cm. Tight, clean copy. "Written in a clear, lively style, this text approaches its subject using the traditional methods of cultural anthropology - in-depth interviews with 'native' informants, examination of 'native' texts, and analysis of 'native' rites of passage. In this unique case, however, the native consultants are Americans and the focus is the arts that they produce and enjoy. True to anthropology's hallmark relativism, the author explores not only the fine arts but also the popular arts, giving as much attention and analysis to wedding cakes, rock and roll, and automobiles as to gallery paintings, classical music, and formal literature." - Publisher. CONTENTS: 1. Introduction. 2. The Role of Art in Americans' Lives: Three Vignettes. 3. Weddings: Art in an American Rite of Passage. 4. Art's Cultural Significance. 5. Who Put the "Bomp" in the "Bomp, Bomp, Bomp"?: What American Music Says about American Arts. 6. The Artist's World. 7. The Artist. 8. Art and the Inner World. 9. Art and Society. 10. Vernacular Aesthetics. 11. Calliope in America. References.. 1st. Paperback. Fine. 8vo.