American Encounters

American Encounters is a long-awaited dynamic new narrative of the history of American art that focuses on historical encounters among diverse cultures, upon broad structural transformations such as the rise of the middle classes and the emergence of consumer and mass culture, and on the fluid exchanges between high art and vernacular expression. The text emphasizes the intersections among cultures and populations, as well as the influences, borrowings, and appropriations that have enriched and vitalized our collective cultural heritage. Canonical figures in the history of art are examined in light of new critical and historical perspectives; and the social and cultural forces that work to mainstream certain artists, centers, and forms of cultural expression while relegating others to peripheral status are considered.Janet C. Berlo is the author of 'American Encounters', published 2007 under ISBN 9780130300041 and ISBN 0130300047.