Modern Primitives : An Investigation of Contemporary Adornment & Ritual
by V. Vale, Andrea Juno (Editor)
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Description
Human beings are the only species who deliberately alter their own appearance. This customization can include tattooing, piercing, scarring or adorning the body. Even the actual body shape can be amended - compressed with corsets or padded out in the right places. This work looks at the increasingly popular revival of ancient human decoration practices such as symbolic/deeply personal tattooing, multiple piercing and ritual scarification. Primitive actions which rupture conventional confines show more of behaviour and aesthetics are objectively scrutinized. In the context of the death of global frontiers, this volume charts the territory of the last remaining underdeveloped source of first-hand experience - the human body. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This startling book which came out in 1989 (the Robert Mapplethorpe era) with its shocking photographs of torture artists would test any government's censorship guidelines.
Perhaps THE definitive, though slightly out of date, anthropological reference on the modern body modification movement, I particularly like Wes Christensen's essay on the Ancient Maya and Hanky Panky's contibution on Tattoo History and Anthropology. An excellent work for all levels of curiosity!
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Modern Primitives : An Investigation of Contemporary Adornment & Ritual
- Original publication date
- 1989
Classifications
- Genres
- Anthropology, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Art & Design
- DDC/MDS
- 391.65 — Society, Government, and Culture Customs, etiquette & folklore Costume and personal appearance Personal appearance
- LCC
- GT2343 .M63 — Geography, Anthropology and Recreation Manners and customs (General) Manners and customs (General) Costume. Dress. Fashion
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 363
- Popularity
- 86,341
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.87)
- Languages
- English, Japanese
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
