This study highlights the connections between power; cultural products; resistance; and the artistic strategies through which that resistance is voiced in the Middle East. Exploring cultural displays of dissent in the form of literary works; films; and music; the collection uses the concept of cultural resistance to describe the way culture and cultural creations are used to resist or even change the dominant political; social; economic; and cultural discourses and structures either consciously or unconsciously. The contributors do not claim that these cultural products constitute organized resistance movements; but rather that they reflect instances of defiance that stem from their peculiar contexts. If culture can be used to consolidate and perpetuate power relations in societies; it can also be used as the site of resistance to oppression in its various forms: gender; class; ethnicity; and sexuality; subverting existing dominant social and political hegemonies in the Middle East.
#717190 in eBooks 2013-02-26 2013-02-26File Name: B00AYIDURI
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely stunning.By sheeprilynAllow me to start off with: The Last of Us was just a wonderful cinematic game. There hasnt been anything that could compare. Now being a big fan of the game; I was more importantly interested in the conceptual art due to being an Animation major; I have always admired their wonderful landscaping. When I saw they had it for such an amazing price on I had to get it. I was a bit wary because you can take a sneak peek of the book on here and thought maybe I had just seen the whole book on there.After ordering; it arrived ten days later in a box encased with padded bubble wrap and air cushions.What they show on the sneak peek is not even half of what you actually get in the book. The book has a beautiful hard cover and is sectioned off into "chapters" It goes in chronological order of what happened in the game. Everything from Young Joel and Sarahs conceptual design down to the University of Eastern Colorados logo. There are pages and pages on Ellies designs. Its interesting how it shows how she was a short-haired redhead once. Its also pretty hilarious how the infected designs are in the back; like the team that put the art book together were saving it for a big finale and boy; do they not disappoint. The infected conceptual art is mindblowingly amazing and creepy. They used to look really alien; Im talking about severed heads being dragged behind by a two legged monster; but Im glad they reigned it in and we got our Clickers.I could honestly go on and on about the book; but really take my word for it; its worth every cent.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful Down to the Last DetailBy Diane Ann JosephLet me start of by saying that I am an artist. I have an ever-evolving art style that switches between photo-realistic and idealistic. That being said; when I see the art in this book; I see true talent. Everything about the artwork is well thought out. Every detail makes them beautifulndash;ndash;the use of color to change the tone and feel of the piece; the use of natural; organic subjects for inspiration; and the realistic; contemporary; cinematic feel that each piece tries to; or does; denote. From the first page to the last; I was in awe by the sheer talent that each artist had and the care that they used for each stroke of the paintbrush. It is; quite simply; filled with masterpiece after masterpiece of stunningly inspirational pieces and each is better than the last. My one and only complaint; however; is this: not all of the art used in the game is included. Despite this small disappointment; it is a book that I will treasure for years to come; Ill be looking at it whenever I need that extra boost of inspiration thats required before I can finish a piece. This is a treasure to behold; and I recommend anyone; not just artists; to purchase this book. I promise you that your decision will not be regretted.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The best conceptual artwork assemble in a long time; but where are the credits?!By Davison CarvalhoJUST BEAUTIFUL!This is certainly a big and beautiful assemble of the greatest conceptual artworks I ever saw together; I must say Naughty Dog have some of the most talented artists in the industry nowadays; the artworks are really beautiful and its nice to see some earlier versions of characters and environments of the game in those pages; it really added more dept in the understanding of the game goal and artistic vision.Why not give credits for the artists?As I said; Naughty Dog have some the most talented artists in the industry nowadays; like Maciej Kuciara; James Paick; Aaron Limonick; John Sweeney; Eytan Zana; Shaddy Safadi; Marek Okon; Nick Gindraux; Hyoung Nam; and Alexandria Neonakis; people that worked hard to make this game beautiful but in the end; this compilation or celebration of great artworks end up not having a single artist name on it. Its a shame that they didnt gave the artists some recognition for their big hit as well. I just couldnt find credits for the artists anywhere in the book; just the directors are credited. I think it is a bit unfair and very close minded for a company with such a big creativity in making games.I know that from a company point of view give to much credit for a employee can be a path to lose them to another company; but in a internet generation of easy to find information; they should know that there are other and nicer ways to keep a employee happy enough to not leave the company. Anyway; just unfair.This is a GREAT BOOK! One of the best game art-books on the last 2 years.