I object: Ian Hislop's search for dissent: 8 (British Museum) - Hardcover

Hislop, Ian; Hockenhull, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0500480419 ISBN 13: 9780500480410

Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 2018

Synopsis

A visual history of dissent, told through objects that challenge authority, published to accompany an exhibition at the British Museum co-curated by the satirist Ian Hislop

Challenging authority is an essential ingredient in the development of human civilization. Across millennia, it has acted as a driving force behind social and political change. It might even be regarded as a basic human impulse, the evidence for which exists in various forms, not least in a number of surprising physical objects.

In this book and accompanying exhibition at the British Museum, Ian Hislop, the well-known satirist and editor of Private Eye, has gathered together some 180 objects that people have created, adapted and used to mock and attack the status quo in societies as varied as Egypt in the 11th century BC, 16th-century England and 20th-century Afghanistan. These articles – ranging from badges, posters, prints and ceramics to items that contain messages hidden from first view, such as a set of wooden doors from Nigeria, a lacquer box from Burma and teapots from China – frequently illuminate lost or forgotten moments in history, giving voice to those who have felt disenfranchised or had no other way to express their views safely.

Fully illustrated with texts that set the objects in context, I object is a celebration of the wit and ingenuity of those who have questioned the status quo, showing that the human spirit of rebellion is indomitable.

About this title

About the Authors

Ian Hislop is editor of Private Eye and a well-known broadcaster and writer.

Tom Hockenhull is Curator of Modern Money in the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum.

From the Back Cover

I object gathers together some 180 objects that people have created, adapted and used to mock and attack the status quo in societies as varied as Egypt in the 11th century bc, 16th-century England and late 20th-century Afghanistan. The objects - ranging from badges, posters, prints and ceramics to items that contain messages hidden from first view, such as wooden doors from Nigeria, a cotton kanga from Kenya or a postage stamp from China - frequently illuminate lost or forgotten movements in history, giving voice to those who feel disenfranchised or have no other way to express their views safely. The objects have been chosen by satirist Ian Hislop, who also co-wrote the text with Tom Hockenhull. The book is organized into three sections: the first looks at overt challenges to authority, from defaced coins to visual satire; the second explores how subversive messages, codes and metaphors can be concealed in, for example, clothing and jewelry; the third investigates the role of the artist as activist. The result is a celebration of the wit and ingenuity of those who have questioned the establishment told through the objects that they have left behind, showing that the human spirit of rebellion is impossible to crush.

Edition details

• Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0500480419
• ISBN 13: 9780500480410
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224