Gorilla

Description

In Gorilla, Tedd Gott and Kathryn Weir provide a compelling and sometimes disturbing account of our relationship with this noble, intelligent animal. From Tarzan to King Kong, they track the gorilla through the history of expeditionary narratives, literature and film, where it has acted as a screen upon which fears of sexuality, theories of criminality and narratives of humanity's relationship with primates have been projected. At times amusing, moving and unsettling, and packed with information and anecdote, Gorilla presents a notable history of this animal's influence on our culture, as well as its plight at the hands of humankind.

Tedd Gott is Senior Curator of International Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Kathryn Weir is Head of International Art and the Australian Cinematheque at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.

"Fascinating work." -- "Independent" "Gott and Weir have produced a fascinating account of these largely peaceable, mostly vegetarian, and, sadly, increasingly rare animals." -- "IVU News online" "This beautifully produced book contains hundreds of striking photographs of the gorilla in all its guises. Gott and Weir trace an intriguing and sometimes disquieting account of this noble animal's chequered history. Their compelling story will appeal to all who are concerned about its uncertain future." -- "Toowoomba Chronicle, Australia" "This work is not merely an introduction to the species' natural history. It explores the concept of the gorilla--how it has featured in literature ranging from scientific papers to schoolboy adventure books, and in entertainment from music halls to movies, most notably, of course, King Kong. Packed with nuggets of little-known information, it is a fascinating distillation of the history of gorilla lore that will surprise naturalists and movie buffs alike." -- "BBC Wildlife" "Chapters that focus on the use of the gorilla in visual media convey stunningly how these apes have been persistently co-opted by those in power to vilify persons or social groups considered marginal or inferior." -- "Times Literary Supplement"