Nuclear bombs and geopolitical controversy are often the first things associated with the isolated Democratic Peoplesrsquo; Republic of Korea and its volatile leader Kim Jong-il. Yet behind the secretive curtain also lies a little known and slowly expanding world of art.This is the first book to be published in the West which explores the role of art in North Korea; a role that has been based on pronouncements made by the Great Leader; Kim Il-sung and his son the Dear Leader; Kim Jong-il; about what the State expected of its artists. Jane Portal makes comparisons with those of other; similar; regimes in the past; and finds a clear connection between North Korean art and the socialist realism of the Soviet Union and China. She places North Korean art in its historical; political and social context; and discusses the system of producing; employing; promoting and honouring artists. Painting; calligraphy; poster art; monumental sculpture; architecture and applied arts are included; together with a review of the way in which archaeology has been used and even created for political ends; to justify the present regime and legitimize its lineage. Jane Portal thus reveals much about art made under totalitarian rule; as well as how art subverts the regime.Art Under Control in North Korea accompanies an exhibition of North Korean art at the British Museum.
#3328826 in eBooks 2012-09-12 2012-09-12File Name: B00BC9IQB8
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. More than you would expectBy stephen howeI saw this book reviewed in our local Sydney newspaper and it received excellent reviews.As a doctor(and a man) I was interested by this book on professional and personal levels.It gave an excellent insight into the myths and taboos surrounding the female organ.We should all respect it;after all over fifty percent of the population have one; and most of us came out of one!Sadly;medical school (in the 1980s) did not teach female medicine well.The anatomy and physiology of the female genitalia perhaps;but this excellent book looks at the social and cultural aspects as well.I think this should be a required text for any doctor dealing with females.Well done Ms.Rees!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. An Outstanding ReadBy HaydenRees moves effortlessly here through a variety of historical periods and a wide genre of ldquo;artrdquo; to demonstrate her points about the female anatomy. From artists such as the Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi (and her Judith paintings) to Georgia Orsquo;Keefe (Black Iris) and from writers such as Chaucer (Canterbury Tales) and Rabelais (Gargantua and Pantagruel) to Denis Diderot (Les Bijoux Indiscrets); William Burroughs (The Naked Lunch); and Susanna Kaysen (Girl; Interrupted); and from photographers such as Reneacute;e Cox and Zoe Leonard; Rees draws conversantly on both the familiar and the arcane. At the same time; Rees calls on the work of early psychologists; philosophers; theorists and critics; such as Sigmund Freud; Jacques Lacan; Michel Foucault; Jacques Derrida; Luce Irigaray; and Julia Kristeva.In a highly fascinating study; the author explicates with skill historical; literary; and artistic concepts; such as the vagina dentata myths (from Aztec tales to Native American Hopi Indians; for example) and contemporary medical and emotional concerns related to FGM. Anyone interested in Gender Studies; Cultural Studies; Womenrsquo;s History; Pop Culture; and Social and/or Literary History should absolutely read Reesrsquo;s book. It ought to be on every womanrsquo;s reading list. Although this topic may seem intimidating to some; Rees tackles it with amazing clarity and careful study--the seriousness of the study frequently giving way to wonderfully rollicking humor. An absolutely terrific read!1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Gotta love this book!By heidiI havent even read it yet; but hey; you gotta love the cover. Im a gynecologist; and I just leave it out because it is so awesome!