What is the force in art; C. Stephen Jaeger asks; that can enter our consciousness; inspire admiration or imitation; and carry a reader or viewer from the world as it is to a world more sublime? We have long recognized the power of individuals to lead or enchant by the force of personal charismamdash;and indeed; in his award-winning Envy of Angels; Jaeger himself brilliantly parsed the ability of charismatic teachers to shape the world of medieval learning. In Enchantment; he turns his attention to a sweeping and multifaceted exploration of the charisma not of individuals but of art.For Jaeger; the charisma of the visual arts; literature; and film functions by creating an exalted semblance of life; a realm of beauty; sublime emotions; heroic motives and deeds; godlike bodies and actions; and superhuman abilities; so as to dazzle the humbled spectator and lift him or her up into the place so represented. Charismatic art makes us want to live in the higher world that it depicts; to behave like its heroes and heroines; and to think and act according to their values. It temporarily weakens individual will and rational critical thought. It brings us into a state of enchantment.Ranging widely across periods and genres; Enchantment investigates the charismatic effect of an ancient statue of Apollo on the poet Rilke; of the painter Duuml;rers self-portrayal as a figure of Christ-like magnificence; of a numinous Odysseus washed ashore on Phaeacia; and of the black-and-white projection of Fred Astaire dancing across the Depression-era movie screen. From the tattoos on the face of a Maori tribesman to the haunting visage of Charlotte Rampling in a film by Woody Allen; Jaegers extraordinary book explores the dichotomies of reality and illusion; life and art that are fundamental to both cultic and aesthetic experience.
#4377398 in eBooks 2009-05-20 2009-05-20File Name: B00B4EM8NI
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. DecentBy Alfredo JaureguiI thought the book would be more extensive; its relatively slim; and left me wanting more. The colors were also lacking I figured it be visually captivating than it turned out2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful Tile DesignsBy C. HeiremansThis book has some very beautiful designs in it; I only wish it came with a cd or website code so that I could have digital copies of them. As such; youll probably have to use tracing paper or a scanner to manipulate the images. Other than that; the printing quality is good and the designs are easy to make out.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Spanish Tile BookBy Phyllis E. YocumThis book gives a wide variety of authentic Spanish tile designs - with no writing. The pictures are printed on only one side; quality; hi gloss paper; and is truly a beautiful book - far exceeded my expectations. I purchased it as reference because I was designing a Spanish tile design quilt. Very helpful.