| Watching Babylon: The War in Iraq and Global Visual Culture Contributor(s): Mirzoeff, Nicholas (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415343100 ISBN-13: 9780415343107 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $46.50 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: January 2005 Annotation: This groundbreaking book examines the experience of watching the war against Iraq on television, on the Internet, in print media and in cinema. Looking at the endless stream of images from Iraq requires a new form of visual thinking that highlights the intersection of local and global while recognizing the way in which the war turned images themselves into weapons. Making striking connections between the history and legend of ancient Babylon, the Babylon that is Western modernity and everyday life in the modern suburb of Babylon, New York, Mirzoeff explores that part of the ancient which is still present in the modern. Taking cues from Walter Benjamin, he illuminates our Western experience of the Iraqi war by focusing on the intersection of past, present and future in a way which is both original and highly compelling. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Media Studies - History | Military - Iraq War (2003-2011) - Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social |
| Dewey: 302.23 |
| Physical Information: 0.47" H x 6.54" W x 8.48" (0.60 lbs) 216 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 21st Century - Cultural Region - Middle East |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Groundbreaking and compelling, Watching Babylon examines the experience of watching the war against Iraq on television, on the internet, in the cinema and in print media. Mirzoeff shows how the endless stream of images flowing from the Gulf has necessitated a new form of visual thinking, one which recognises that the war has turned images themselves into weapons. Drawing connections between the history and legend of ancient Babylon, the metaphorical Babylon of Western modernity, and everyday life in the modern suburb of Babylon, New York, Mirzoeff explores ancient concerns which have found new resonance in the present day. In the tradition of Walter Benjamin, Watching Babylon illuminates the Western experience of the Iraqi war and makes us re-examine the very way we look at images of conflict. |