Overview

This book explores the visual representation of masculinity in the work of Larry Clark, using this to prompt a wider conversation about the male body in visual culture and art. Infamous for his often deeply personal depictions of teenage sexuality, subcultures and drug use, filmmaker and photographer Larry Clark also paid close attention to male identity, as revealed for the first time in this book. It explores the visual representation of masculinity in Clark’s work, revealing how his images of the male body differ from traditional depictions and function not only as objects of spectacle, but as spectacular objects in themselves. Despite being hugely influential, there has been a lack of critical attention paid to Clark’s work following his celebrated photobook Tulsa (1971). Larry Clark and Masculinity is a vital contribution to research on Clark, and visual and photography studies more broadly, where it explores the photographer’s depiction of the male subject as an object of desire. It also expands research in gender and queer studies by examining masculinity as a relational, social and intercultural construct in media and society, enhancing our understanding of Clark’s narrative and iconographic practice, while simultaneously positioning his work at the centre of the cultural discourse around male subjectivity. Drawing on an array of Clark’s work, including his films ‘Kids’ and ‘Ken Park’, as well as his photographs, Masculinity and Visual Culture offers a critical re-examination of Clark’s impact on visual culture and gender representation. By positioning Clark’s work at the centre of the cultural discourse around male subjectivity, it enhances our understanding of Clark’s narrative and iconographic practice as a means of negotiating complex subjectivities.

Full Product Details

9781350385405

Table of Contents

Reviews

This vital, expansive book illuminates one of our most impactful, daring, yet misunderstood artists working at the intersection of photography and film. Dirk Reynders has achieved something remarkable in his critical unpacking of Larry Clark’s complex and lasting investment in the representation of youth, masculinity and the male body. * Derek Murray, Professor of History of Art and Visual Culture, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA * An incisive and powerful exploration of how images shape identities, challenge norms, and provoke ethical reflection, offering both a critical framework and a compelling tribute to Clark’s controversial legacy. * Hilde Van den Bulck, Professor of Communication Studies, Drexel University, USA * Reynder’s critical examination of Clark’s work covers a number of theoretical lenses: masculinities, performance in photography, LGBTQ+ cultures, and gender and identity. Capturing Clark’s unflinching career in all its rawness, it highlights the impact of visual culture on modern society. * Frank New, Fashion Historian, Massey University, College of Creative Arts, New Zealand * This book will become a classic, offering a journey into the darkened world of Larry Clark. It reveals new ways of thinking about masculinity and visual culture and is sure to become an iconic reader for film and gender studies. * Joseph H. Hancock II, Professor, Drexel University, USA *

Author Information

Dirk Reynders is a lecturer, writer, researcher, cultural critic, and academic leadership professional. He is affiliated with KU Leuven and PXL-MAD School of Arts, Belgium, and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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