Retro
The Culture of Revival
Published on 1. September 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-86189-290-4 (ISBN)
Description
Flares are in. Flares are out. Flares are back again. Fads constantly cycle and recycle through popular culture, each time in a slightly new incarnation. The term 'retro' has become the buzz word for describing such trends, but what does it mean? Elizabeth Guffey explores here the ambiguous cultural meanings of the term and reveals why some trends just never seem to stay dead.
Drawing upon a wealth of original research and entertaining anecdotal material, Guffey unearths the roots of the term retro and chronicles its evolving manifestations in culture and art throughout the last century. Whether in art, design, fashion or music, the idea of retro has often meant a re-emergence of styles and sensibilities that evoke familiar touchstones of memory from the not-so-distant past. Guffey explores how and why the past keeps coming back to haunt us in a variety of forms, from the comeback of Art Nouveau nearly fifty years after its original decline, to the infusion of Art Deco into the kitsch glamour of Pop art, to the recent popularity over 1980s vogue. She also considers how advertisers and media have employed the power of such cultural nostalgia, using recycled television jingles, familiar old slogans and famous art to sell a surprising range of products.
An engrossing and wholly unprecedented study, Retro reveals how the past is embedded in the future of contemporary art and culture.
Drawing upon a wealth of original research and entertaining anecdotal material, Guffey unearths the roots of the term retro and chronicles its evolving manifestations in culture and art throughout the last century. Whether in art, design, fashion or music, the idea of retro has often meant a re-emergence of styles and sensibilities that evoke familiar touchstones of memory from the not-so-distant past. Guffey explores how and why the past keeps coming back to haunt us in a variety of forms, from the comeback of Art Nouveau nearly fifty years after its original decline, to the infusion of Art Deco into the kitsch glamour of Pop art, to the recent popularity over 1980s vogue. She also considers how advertisers and media have employed the power of such cultural nostalgia, using recycled television jingles, familiar old slogans and famous art to sell a surprising range of products.
An engrossing and wholly unprecedented study, Retro reveals how the past is embedded in the future of contemporary art and culture.
Reviews / Votes
[an] enjoyable exploraton of retro chic . . . Guffey offers an intriguing investigation of our seduction by the past * <i>The Independent</i> * provides an interesting take on the various rapidly recycling revivals of the late 20th century . . . a thought-provoking read it weaves in lots of fresh and stimulating material which adds to our understanding of the complexities of post war cultural life. * <i>Building Design</i> * This is an informative, interesting and provocative book that adds depth and complexity to many aspects of modern art and design history and to diverse related areas of academic study. * <i>Journal of Design History</i> * In this informative and lively book, Elizabeth Guffey cuts through the ambiguities of the term retro and examines its roots, evolution and myriad manifestations . . . Throughout, the book seeks to understand how and why the recent past has been transformed into a revolving door of pop historicism . . . Based on considerable original research and including rich anecdotal material, the book is aimed at all readers interested in retro as well as twentieth century art, design and consumer culture. * <i>Concept for Living Magazine</i> * fascinating . . . [a] persuasive and intelligent account. * <i>Design Issues</i> * Guffeys analysis is an important complement to design-history books that gloss over cultural undercurrents that help shape the way things look. * <i>Winterthur Portfolio</i> * For more information about Retro and Elizabeth E. Guffey please visit the Retro: The Culture of Revival website * Quote *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
45 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 148 mm
Width: 210 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86189-290-4 (9781861892904)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2002
1st Edition
Reaktion Books
€15.99
Available for download
Person
Elizabeth E. Guffey is Professor of Art and Design History at the State University of New York, Purchase, and founding editor of academic journal Design and Culture. She is the author of Drawing an Elusive Line: The Art and Career of Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (2001) and Retro: The Culture of Revival (Reaktion, 2006). She is also vice-president of the Design Studies Forum.