Product Description

The uniform renders individuals identical without distinguishing class or wealth. It can create an image of reassuring equality or disturbing conformity. Here, the authors and curators involved in the project take a look at the uniform as the prototype of men's clothing, showing the technical and formal perfection of military wear as one of the most advanced points of reference for contemporary fashions. They also analyse the way the uniform has been cannibalised by pop culture and critically used by art from the end of World War II to the present day. Uniform: Order and Disorder is enriched by texts from leading contemporary writers who use the uniform as a vehicle for launching the debate on the language of social and aesthetic symbols. Vanessa Beecroft, Joseph Beuys, Robert Mapplethorpe, Wolfgang Tillmans, Gucci, Maharishi, Prada and Raf Simons are among the numerous artists represented.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2053983 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From Library Journal
Pitti Immagine, an organization dedicated to exploring the "anthropology of fashion" and related issues, produced the recent exhibition in Florence for which this book serves as catalog. Although the lavish photographs focus upon diverse military themes, plenty of other uniformed groups are included Star Trek characters, boy scouts, celebrities, political figures, astronauts, and members of counterculture factions, to name a few. A collection of intriguing essays by an array of international writers and scholars forms a substantial and thought-provoking core of this book, significantly enhancing its appeal to a wide audience. Each piece examines the many concepts, messages, purposes, and facets of uniforms national character, social and military influences, sexual implications, intimations of individuality vs. conformity, representations of violence or protest, and so forth. References to history, film, art, music, and social trends are skillfully interwoven with commentary on style, fabrics, cut, colors, accessories, and specific designers. An important addition to collections focusing on fashion and contemporary culture, this is also suitable for large circulating libraries with a diverse readership. Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Dutch, Spring 2001 --Glenn Belverio
The book is a postmodern panoply of uniforms in art, fashion, music and advertising from 1950s to the present.

Saturday Night, April 7, 2001
Uniforms are liberating because they free an individual to think about things other than fashion.