Dance, Space and Subjectivity [Hardcover]

Valerie Briginshaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0333919734 | ISBN-13: 978-0333919736

This book contains readings of American, British and European postmodern dances informed by feminist, postcolonialist, queer, and poststructuralist theories. It explores the roles dance and space play in constructing subjectivity. By focusing on site-specific dance, the mutual construction of bodies and spaces, body-space interfaces and "in-between spaces," the dances and dance films are read "against the grain" to reveal their potential for troubling conventional notions of subjectivity associated with a white, Western, heterosexual able-bodied, male norm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Dance, Space and Subjectivity is...a very welcome publication in that Valerie Briginshaw here has the scope to investigate her complex themes through ten chpaters on interconnected issues...An impressive variety of themes and issues is explored...Briginshaw's writing style is clear and will be accessible to students as well as researchers in a variety of disciplines...The book brings dance into the arena of so many current, fascinating debates that it offers a very useful point of reference and contribution to the field.' - Anna Pakes, Dance Theatre Journal '...presents a fast introduction to a whole range of current theoretical approaches to space, subjectivity and the representation of bodies, and shows how these theories enable explorations of the construction of subjectivity...' - Maaike Bleeker, University of Amsterdam and School for New Dance Development, Research in Dance Education

About the Author

Valerie Briginshaw is Reader in Dance Studies, University College, Chichester.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333919734
• ISBN-13: 978-0333919736
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,412,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not junk, November 19, 2006

By 

Jonathan (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dance, Space and Subjectivity (Hardcover)

While it is true that this book makes use of theoretical constructs initiated after the dawn of the 20th century, it does so in a rigorous and enlightening way. My main complaint with the book is that she hews a little too closely to each theorist, essentially devoting chapters to readings of dance works through a particular theory. This doesn't work rhythmically and it gets tiresome quickly. However, the final chapter on Keersmaker and Forsythe is a tour de force. At this price, however, this is one to find at the library, not purchase.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Junk, August 15, 2004

By 

British viewer (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dance, Space and Subjectivity (Hardcover)

254 pages of politically correct academic claptrap for $74.00 - they have to be joking. Watching paint dry is more interesting than ploughing through this junk.