Negrophilia: Avant-Garde Paris and Black Culture in the 1920s (Interplay) [Paperback]

Petrine Archer-Straw (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500281351 | ISBN-13: 978-0500281352 | Publication Date: November 2000 | Edition: First edition (stated)

Explores the historical ambiguities and racial complexities of 1920s Paris and describes the short-lived craze that overtook the city when black culture became highly fashionable and a sign of being modern.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Black culture was very much in vogue in avant-garde Paris in the 1920s as white artists celebrated it as a means of escaping bourgeois values. At the same time, an emphasis on the "primitive" often reduced blacks to racist stereotypes. In this lively, highly accessible study, Archer-Shaw utilizes her background as an art historian and curator to discuss black life and its complex, often disturbing interaction with white European society. The focus on art (including painting, photography, fashion, and sculpture) distinguishes this book from other important works such as Michel Fabre's From Harlem to Paris (LJ 11/15/91), which concentrates on the literary scene, and Tyler Stovall's more general Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light (LJ 12/96). Archer-Straw's book also differs from these works by devoting considerable attention to whites as well as blacks, including shipping heiress Nancy Cunard, art collector Paul Guillaume, and photographer Man Ray. Recommended for all collections with an interest in black culture and/or art. (Notes and bibliography not seen.)DLouis J. Parascandola, Long Island Univ., Brooklyn, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A scholarly, zesty look at the racial thrills and tensions in a trend that affected dance, theater, music, sculpture, fashion. -- H. Scott Jolley, Travel & Leisure, March 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; First edition (stated) edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500281351
• ISBN-13: 978-0500281352
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book with great photos, November 28, 2010

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ki-ki "jazz lover" (san francisco) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Negrophilia: Avant-Garde Paris and Black Culture in the 1920s (Interplay) (Paperback)

This book was assigned for a history class at UC Berkeley and have had a hard time keeping it in my flat because everyone borrows it. It has the most beautiful photos (Paul Colin, Archibald Motley, Gauguin, Picasso... there is a picture for every page), nice heavy paper with sheen, and great typeset. Don't let the title fool you, the book is not inflammatory, it is simply a great art book as well as an academically respected history book that is also fun for lay readers. I ended up purchasing a second copy because after the first chapter I regretted highlighting/underlining such a beautiful book. I wanted a nice pristine copy and and now I have extra copy to loan out. Le jazz hot fans, Josephine Baker aficionados, Art lovers of any race will adore this book.