TheNovember1970coupthatbroughtHafizal-AsadtopowerfundamentallytransformedculturalproductioninSyria.Acomprehensiveintellectual,ideological,andpoliticalproject--aBa’thistculturalrevolution--soughttoalignartisticendeavorswiththeideologicalinterestsoftheregime.Theensuingagonisticstrugglepittedofficialaestheticsofpoweragainstalternativemodesofcreativeexpressionthatcouldevadeorignoretheeffectsofthestate.Withthisbook,MaxWeissoffersthefirstculturalandintellectualhistoryofBa’thistSyria,fromthecomingtopowerofHafizal-Asad,throughthetransitionalperiodunderBasharal-Asad,andcontinuingupthroughtheSyriaWar.RevolutionsAestheticreconceptualizescontemporarySyrianpolitics,authoritarianism,andculturallife.Engagingrichoriginalsources--novels,films,andculturalperiodicals--WeisshighlightsthemescrucialtothemakingofcontemporarySyria:heroismandleadership,genderandpower,comedyandideology,surveillanceandthesenses,witnessingandtemporality,anddeathandtheimagination.RevolutionsAestheticplacesfrontandcenterthestrugglearoundaestheticideologythathasbeenkeytotheconstitutionofstate,society,andcultureinSyriaoverthecourseofthepastfiftyyears.
