Description:
The Material Subject emphasises how bodily and material cultures combine to make and transform subjects dynamically. The book is based on the French Matière à Penser (MaP) school of thought, which draws upon the ideas of Mauss, Schilder, Foucault and Bourdieu, among others.
Review Quotes:
'This important book brings French and Anglo anthropological traditions of studying the body in practice, material culture and subjectivity into fruitful dialogue with one another. Informed by Mauss, Foucault and seminal ideas of key Matière à Penser scholars, the editors and contributing authors offer fresh and inspiring perspectives on the ways that bodies and objects 'move together in the material world.'
Trevor Marchand, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology, SOAS
'A landmark contribution to the cross-disciplinary study of material culture. The Material Subject delivers a timely and original introduction to the influential French Matière à Penser School for anglophone readers. Urmila Mohan and Laurence Douny have crafted an essential addition to the bookshelves of every scholar of material culture.'
Dan Hicks, Professor of Contemporary Archaeology, University of Oxford
'Urmila Mohan and Laurence Douny have assembled a remarkable collection of essays that present to anglophone audiences the important legacy of the work of the Matière à Penser group, insightfully exploring subjectivation as a material process. This impressive book promises to enrich the study of material culture in a host of fields.'
David Morgan, Professor of Religious Studies, Duke University