Revolutions Aesthetic: A Cultural History of Ba'thist Syria

The book "Revolutions Aesthetic" by Max Weiss provides a cultural and intellectual history of Baathist Syria, from the rise of Hafiz al-Asad to the present day, exploring themes such as heroism, leadership, gender, ideology, surveillance, and the imagination. It sheds light on the struggle between official aesthetics of power and alternative modes of creative expression in the country.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

The coup d'état that occurred in Syria in November 1970, which resulted in the ascent of Hafiz al-Asad to power, had a profound impact on the country's cultural production. This coup was part of a larger project, known as the Baathist cultural revolution, which aimed to align artistic endeavors with the ideological interests of the regime. This resulted in a fierce battle between the official aesthetics of power and alternative modes of creative expression that sought to evade or ignore the influence of the state.

In his book, "Revolutions Aesthetic: The Cultural History of Baathist Syria," Max Weiss offers the first comprehensive cultural and intellectual history of Baathist Syria. The book spans from the rise of Hafiz al-Asad to power to the transitional period under Bashar al-Asad and continues up to the Syria War. Through the use of rich original sources, such as novels, films, and cultural periodicals, Weiss highlights key themes that have shaped contemporary Syrian politics, authoritarianism, and cultural life. These themes include heroism and leadership, gender and power, comedy and ideology, surveillance and the senses, witnessing and temporality, and death and the imagination.

One of the central themes of "Revolutions Aesthetic" is the struggle around aesthetic ideology that has played a crucial role in the constitution of state, society, and culture in Syria over the past fifty years. Weiss argues that the Baathist regime sought to control and manipulate aesthetics in order to promote its own ideological agenda and maintain power. This was done through the establishment of state-controlled institutions, such as the Syrian Academy of Fine Arts, which aimed to promote a specific vision of Syrian culture and history.

At the same time, there was a thriving alternative cultural scene in Syria that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. This scene was characterized by a rejection of the official aesthetics of power and a focus on creativity, freedom, and self-expression. Artists and writers in this scene used a variety of mediums, including poetry, fiction, film, and performance, to challenge the regime's authority and promote a more democratic and inclusive society.

Despite the challenges faced by the alternative cultural scene, the Baathist regime was ultimately successful in suppressing it. This was done through a combination of censorship, surveillance, and violence. Many artists and writers were arrested, tortured, or killed, and their works were banned or destroyed. However, the legacy of this alternative cultural scene continues to inspire and influence contemporary Syrian artists and writers, who continue to struggle for freedom and self-expression in the face of ongoing political and social repression.

In conclusion, "Revolutions Aesthetic: The Cultural History of Baathist Syria" is a groundbreaking work that offers a new perspective on contemporary Syrian politics, authoritarianism, and cultural life. Through the use of rich original sources and a comprehensive analysis of aesthetic ideology, Weiss provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted history of Syria. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the ongoing struggles for freedom and self-expression in Syria and the broader region.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503630581