DigeeBooks

Investigating the concepts and material realities of energy coursing through the arts: a foundational text.This book investigates energies—in the plural, the energies embedded and embodied in everything under the sun— as they are expressed in the arts. With contributions from scholars and critics from the visual arts, art history, anthropology, music, literature, and the history of science, it offers the first multidisciplinary investigation of the concepts and material realities of energy coursing through the arts. Just as Douglas Kahn's earlier books helped introduce sound as a category for study in the arts, this new volume will be a foundational volume for future explorers in a largely uncharted domain. The modern concept of energy is only two hundred years old—an abstraction grounded in extraction—but this book takes a more expansive view. It opens with a clap: the sonic energies in a ceremony of the indigenous Goolarabooloo people of Australia. Other chapters explore the energies of photography; responses of artists in the early twentieth century—including Marcel Duchamp—to scientific discoveries in electricity and electromagnetism; the aestheticization of entropy in works by Hans Haacke and Robert Smithson; free-jazz musician Milford Graves's cross-cultural engagement with music, science, and spiritualism; energy field performance; and the self-generating energy of rumor and gossip as artwork. Contributors include such leading scholars as Linda Dalrymple Henderson, John Tresch, and Caroline A. Jones. Practicing artists and students of art history will find Energies in the Arts an essential work.ContributorsSusan Ballard, Jennifer Biddle, Marcus Boon, Joan Brassil, Steven Connor, Milford Graves, Daniel Hackbarth, Linda Dalrymple Henderson, Caroline A. Jones, Douglas Kahn, David Mather, Stephen Muecke, James Nisbet, Daniela Silvestrin, Michael Taussig, John Tresch, Melissa Warak Read more

**Energies in the Arts (The MIT Press) by Douglas Kahn**

Douglas Kahn's book "Energies in the Arts" delves into the dynamic relationship between energy and artistic expression. Kahn explores how energy manifests itself in various art forms, from music and dance to visual arts and literature. Through insightful analysis and thought-provoking examples, he uncovers the ways in which energy shapes creative processes, aesthetic experiences, and the overall impact of artworks.

Kahn's interdisciplinary approach draws connections between diverse artistic disciplines, demonstrating the universality of energy as a fundamental concept in shaping artistic creation and interpretation. He examines how energy is transformed, channeled, and manipulated within artistic contexts, illuminating the interplay between physical, emotional, and intellectual forces that drive artistic expression.

"Energies in the Arts" offers a fresh perspective on the role of energy in artistic experiences. Kahn's work challenges traditional notions of aesthetics and artistic value, inviting readers to consider the energetic dimensions of artworks and the ways in which they resonate with our own vital forces. This thought-provoking book is an essential read for artists, art historians, critics, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, science, and philosophy.

**Key Themes and Concepts:**

• The relationship between energy and artistic expression across various art forms
• The role of energy in shaping creative processes and aesthetic experiences
• The transformation and manipulation of energy within artistic contexts
• The interplay between physical, emotional, and intellectual forces in artistic creation
• The energetic dimensions of artworks and their impact on viewers

**Key Insights:**

• Energy is a fundamental concept in understanding artistic creation and interpretation.
• Energy manifests itself in diverse ways within artistic disciplines, shaping aesthetic experiences and the overall impact of artworks.
• The transformation and manipulation of energy in artistic contexts create dynamic and engaging experiences for audiences.
• The interplay between physical, emotional, and intellectual forces drives artistic expression and shapes the meaning and significance of artworks.
• The energetic dimensions of artworks resonate with our own vital forces, creating powerful connections between art and life.

**Why Read "Energies in the Arts" by Douglas Kahn?**

• Gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between energy and artistic expression.
• Discover new perspectives on the creative processes and aesthetic experiences associated with various art forms.
• Explore the ways in which energy shapes the meaning and significance of artworks.
• Challenge traditional notions of aesthetics and artistic value through an interdisciplinary approach.
• Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the role of energy in art and its impact on our lives.