'Abstract Bodies makes a remarkable intervention into art history, combining a rigorous attention to the history of sculpture with surprising and elaborate readings of the art of the 1960s. As a result of his disciplined attention to abstract forms rather than figural representations of the body, David Getsy has opened a new chapter in art history. This is a brilliant and original book and will change the way we think about the dynamics between art, embodiment, plasticity, and queer form.' Jack Halberstam, University of Southern California -- Jack Halberstam University of Southern California 'David Getsy's Abstract Bodies represents a welcome convergence of the long established academic discipline of art history with the more recent interdisciplinary field of transgender studies. This book is not a history of transgender artists or transgender themes in art, but rather a path-breaking application of transgender studies as a heuristic lens. His deft coupling of subject matter and critical framework enables readers to grasp the profound extent to which the plasticity of shape and transformation of substance in reference to human being is a central feature of recent Western history.' Susan Stryker, University of Arizona -- Susan Stryker University of Arizona 'Abstract Bodies more than bridges art history and gender studies-David Getsy demonstrates that these fields need each other. This book shows us how to see gender's capacities in texture, light and form-loosened from the discourse of sex, gender becomes a material possibility. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how to write about sculpture, or who wants to know how queer art history can be.' Jennifer Doyle, University of California at Riverside -- Jennifer Doyle University of California at Riverside 'The insights that emerge from David Getsy's analyses of sculpture, reception, anecdote, historiography, and of the particular languages - and voices - of artists, are provocative and profound. In the process of locating transformational energies in these artists' works, Getsy not only connects us more intimately to each artist but also redirects the field of postwar abstract sculpture.' Michael Brenson, Bard College -- Michael Brenson Bard College
David J. Getsy is Eleanor Shea Professor of Art History at the University of Virginia.
“Abstract Bodies is an extraordinarily imaginative book. It makes
unexpected yet absolutely compelling links between artworks and
transgender logics or ways of thinking that are easily overlooked
or misperceived from traditional disciplinary approaches.”—Ramzi
Fawaz, Transgender Studies Quarterly
“David Getsy is a key voice among a new generation of art
historians.”—Art in America
“Highly recommended.”—Choice
“In bringing to light a grossly neglected approach to the topic and
action of gendering in art production and interpretation, Getsy’s
book demonstrates that we are still processing the profound event
that was 1960s abstraction, still reconciling ourselves to its
categorical refusals, semiotic disruptions, and relational
revisions.”—Art Journal
“Getsy produces a daring and fascinating project” —Jenni
Sorkin, Oxford Art Journal
“This meticulously researched book, combining expert archival
research, close analysis of less-researched artworks by canonical
figures of American abstract sculpture in the 1960s, and a
deliberate interdisciplinary analysis, catapults art-historical
research [and] engages the rapidly growing scholarship on
transgender studies into the twenty-first century.”—Natasha Adamou,
Sculpture Journal
“The contribution made by this book to both art history and to
gender studies is incontrovertible.”—Gender Research
Recommended by Elmgreen & Dragset as their pick for 2021 “The Best
Art Books to Dive into This Summer—As Recommended by Artists” in
the Art Newspaper
“Abstract Bodies makes a remarkable intervention into art history,
combining a rigorous attention to the history of sculpture with
surprising and elaborate readings of the art of the 1960s. As a
result of his disciplined attention to abstract forms rather than
figural representations of the body, David Getsy has opened a new
chapter in art history. This is a brilliant and original book and
will change the way we think about the dynamics between art,
embodiment, plasticity, and queer form.”—Jack Halberstam,
University of Southern California
“David Getsy’s Abstract Bodies represents a welcome convergence of
the long established academic discipline of art history with the
more recent interdisciplinary field of transgender studies. This
book is not a history of transgender artists or transgender themes
in art, but rather a path-breaking application of transgender
studies as a heuristic lens. His deft coupling of subject matter
and critical framework enables readers to grasp the profound extent
to which the plasticity of shape and transformation of substance in
reference to human being is a central feature of recent Western
history.”—Susan Stryker, University of Arizona
“Abstract Bodies more than bridges art history and gender
studies—David Getsy demonstrates that these fields need each other.
This book shows us how to see gender’s capacities in texture, light
and form—loosened from the discourse of sex, gender becomes a
material possibility. This is essential reading for anyone who
wants to know how to write about sculpture, or who wants to know
how queer art history can be.”—Jennifer Doyle, University of
California at Riverside
“The insights that emerge from David Getsy’s analyses of sculpture,
reception, anecdote, historiography, and of the particular
languages – and voices – of artists, are provocative and profound.
In the process of locating transformational energies in these
artists’ works, Getsy not only connects us more intimately to each
artist but also redirects the field of postwar abstract
sculpture.”—Michael Brenson, Bard College
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