Dreams of Chaos, Visions of Order: Understanding the American Avant-garde Cinema / Edition 1

by James Peterson

Overview

This is a controversial book that examines the implicit assumptions of other scholars, advocates an alternative to dominant approaches to the avant-garde cinema, and questions some long-standing clichés about the history of the avant-garde.

In spite of the difficulty of most American avant-garde films, one can read volumes and find almost no mention of how to view these films. Dreams of Chaos, Visions of Order addresses precisely this question: how—and to what extent—can viewers make sense of American avant-garde films? It is a controversial book that examines the implicit assumptions of traditional scholarship, advocates on alternative to dominant approaches to the avant-garde cinema, and questions some long-standing clichés about the history of the avant-garde.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814324578
Publisher:	Wayne State University Press
Publication date:	01/01/1994
Series:	Contemporary Approaches to Film and Media Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

James Peterson is a writer and scholar living in Madison, Wisconsin. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Editorial Reviews

Addresses the question of how--and to what extent--viewers can make sense of American avant-garde films. Peterson examines the implicit assumptions of other scholars, advocates an alternative to dominant approaches to the avant-garde cinema, and questions some long-standing cliches about the history of the avant garde. Includes numerous (but tiny) photographs. Paper edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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