Behind the Masks of Modernism: Global and Transnational Perspectives

“A wide-ranging collection that allows the mask—as artifact, metaphor, theatrical costume, fetish, strategy for self-concealment, and treasured cultural object—to clarify modernity’s relationship to history.”—Carrie J. Preston, author of Modernism’s Mythic Pose: Gender, Genre, Solo Performance

“Covering an impressive range of geographies, cultures, and time periods, these carefully researched essays explore the fascinating role of masks and masking in mediating the relationship between tradition and modernity in both art and literature.”—Paul Jay, author of The Humanities “Crisis” and the Future of Literary Studies

Stretching beyond the Western canon and the literary scope of the field, this volume reconsiders what “modernism” means by exploring numerous local expressions of modernity around the globe. Masks—both literal and metaphorical—play a role in each of these artistic ventures, from Brazilian music to Chinese film to Nigerian masquerade performance. These case studies show how masks enable diverse artists and communities to grapple with deep societal transformations caused by modern transnational forces. The contributors challenge popular assumptions about what modernism looks like and what modernity is.