Bell, A. R. (2009) The anachronistic fantastic : science, progress and the child in 'post-nostalgic' culture. International Journal of Cultural Studies, Vol.12 (No.1). pp. 5-22. doi:10.1177/1367877908098856

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Abstract

This article argues that the `genre-slipperiness' of recent media products have been accompanied by a form of `time-slip'. Such happily anachronistic texts self-consciously fuse the nostalgic with the futuristic and suggest comfort and unease with both. In this respect, they might be seen to do damage to notions of linear development, but arguably display love as well as criticism of different forms of progress. This article suggests three different ways of mixing pasts and futures: futuristic texts looking forward to a time when society returns to historical roots; more `combinational' approaches, which juxtapose pasts and futures with a degree of equality; and `technostalgia', nostalgia but to a post-industrial era. Throughout, examples involve young people, as it is argued children have an especially ambivalent role with respect to time, providing a cogent focalizer for the study of aesthetics of anachronism.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Cultural Studies
Publisher:	Sage Publications Ltd.
ISSN:	1367-8779
Official Date:	January 2009
Dates:	Date Event January 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.12
Number:	No.1
Number of Pages:	13
Page Range:	pp. 5-22
DOI:	10.1177/1367877908098856
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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