Outrage

Outrage: Art, Controversy, and Society explores controversy in the arts, and especially the extent to which such controversies are socially rather than just aesthetically conditioned. It pays special attention to the way these controversies move beyond the world of art and into the public sphere—and often return to reshape the art world itself. It investigates how and why this happens, with particular emphasis on the social dynamics involved, including class, religion, culture, and -above all- power. It argues that only through a deeper understanding of the interaction between these forces and art can we be in a better position to evaluate the controversies that rage around the place of artworks in a public setting. The book's case studies ultimately combine to provide much-needed insight into the range of vested interests that are manifest in 'the arts in society.'