Ekphrastic Conceptualism in Postmodern British and American Novels

Discussing the ancient notion of ekphrasis, this study examines the interpenetration of literary and non-literary art. The author demonstrates how ekphrasis is useful for reading contemporary novels that feature non-representative, conceptual works of art by taking a close look at the works of Don DeLillo, Paul Auster and Tom McCarthy.

The relationship between the arts has fascinated people for centuries. Discussing the ancient notion of ekphrasis, this study examines the interpenetration of literary and non-literary art. Traditionally, ekphrasis is defined as a rhetorical device for the poetic description of a painting or a sculpture that has been steadily gaining attention in literary studies since the mid-twentieth century. Taking a close look at the works of Don DeLillo, Paul Auster and Tom McCarthy, the author demonstrates how ekphrasis is useful for reading contemporary novels that feature non-representative, conceptual works of art.

Autorentext

Jaros aw Hetman is Lecturer at the Department of English, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torü (Poland). His academic interests include contemporary American literature, theory of literature and conceptual art.

Inhalt
Contents: Ekphrasis Conceptual ekphrasis Sanctioning Conceptual art Progymnasmata Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Leo Spitzer James A.W. Heffernan W.J.T. Mitchell Representation Don DeLillo Paul Auster Tom McCarthy Pseudo-artistic activity Performance art Body art Land art Video art Street art Intertextuality Metafiction Sophie Calle International Necronautical Society Authenticity Inauthenticity Performativity.