Friends of Interpretable Objects

Rating:
Summary: Lex, legis?
Review: Within this tiny volume of lecture-length chapters bravely stares a provocation to reconsider both why and how (also a little on what) we pursue interpretation. A couple of the chapters serve mealy reading (e.g., Byzantine law and Iconostasis), but the overall argument pleasingly confounds the mellow and perhaps mindless reception of analyses of objects whose interpretations may be completely unnecessary beyond their value as ways of thinking that create like-minded societies. The perspectives of legal scholars, tree-lovers, art historians, and others, who make sense of parts of the world and its culture for the many of us who grow weary of the incessant, silly sallies required to be comprehensively aware, receive attention. Despite a recondite divagation here and there, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this sharp and playful book.