2019_10_18_ICS_alberto_n_garcia
Why does art sometimes provoke aesthetic pleasure and disgust at the same time? The Hannibal series as an example of the 'paradox of aversion'.
Alberto N. García, professor at School of Communication and partner of Institute for Culture and Society, analyzes the phenomenon in a article published in 'Continuum. Journal of average & Cultural Studies'.
PHOTO: Manuel Castells
Some artistic expressions provoke both aesthetic pleasure and repugnance. This is what experts in Aesthetic Theory call the 'paradox of aversion'. Alberto N. García, professor of the School of Communication and partner of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra, has analyzed this phenomenon through the case of Hannibal, a TV series that NBC aired between 2013 and 2015 and that deals with the famous cannibal psychopath fond of gastronomy. Garcia has collected his findings in a article published in the scientific journal Continuum. Journal of average & Cultural Studies.
Specifically, work explores how the series "provokes great aesthetic delight, despite the fact that it includes numerous repulsive or uncomfortable scenes," says Professor Garcia. As he adds, this is mainly explained by three textual strategies: "An extended connection with the characters, a suspense that exploits the aesthetic possibilities of temporal prolongation and a beautiful staging of visual motifs and horrifying actions". These three maneuvers, in his opinion, generate "a robust fascination in the spectator", which allows "subverting the characteristics of the repugnant".
Hedonic ambivalenceAlberto N. Garcia interprets the 'paradox of aversion' in the NBC series through what Matthew Strohl, a professor at the University of Montana, calls " hedonic ambivalence": we enjoy a horror film in part because of the painful nature of our emotional response. "Hannibal intensifies its aesthetic value precisely because it visually enhances the 'paradox of aversion.' It takes both disgust and pleasure to the extreme through fascination and context," details the expert from the University of Navarra.
Alberto N. García has developed this research with the support of project 'Emotional culture and identity' of the ICS and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport through the agreement issue PRX17/00212 ('Stays of professors and senior researchers in foreign centers, including the Salvador de Madariaga Program').