Voicing Dissent

<p><em>Voicing Dissent</em> presents a unique and original series of interviews with American artists (including Guerrilla Girls on Tour Tony Shalhoub Shepard Fairey Sean Astin and many others) who have voiced their opposition to the war in Iraq. Following Pierre Bourdieu's example these discussions are approached sociologically and provide a thorough analysis of the relationships between arts and politics as well as the limits and conditions of political speech and action. These painters and graphic artists musicians actors playwrights theatre directors and filmmakers reveal their perceptions of politics war security and terrorism issues the Middle East their experiences with activism as well as their definition of the artist's role and their practice of citizenship. Addressing the crucial questions for contemporary democracies - such as artists' function in society the crisis of political legitimacy and representation the rise of new modes of contestation and the limits to free public speech - this book will be of interest to scholars in sociology politics and the arts. </p>