Date of Award

2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Program

Theory and Criticism

Abstract

This thesis investigates the transformation of the notion of identity from the height of Romantic subjectivity to the lowest common denominator, the figure of the mass-man. Through examination of pronominal linguistic constructions to consideration of the function of grey in visual art, this project explores a concept of the average that is easily shaped into notions of the generic and the mediocre. The crowd and the cloud are related topoi with respect to the concept of the typology in social and aesthetic realms. This project highlights the consequence of third-personality as a basis of artistic expression as authorial indifference and impassivity to subjectivity, exceptionality, and, ultimately, to the artist’s abdication of authorship.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.