Spatial Practices41 Walls and Cultural Spaces

This volume explores the material and symbolic meanings of walls and their manifestations in history, literature, cultural studies, music and ecocriticism. The diverse and original ways in which this topic is treated testify to the volume’s multidisciplinary scope. This volume focuses on “walls” in cultural as much as material terms. It uncovers far-reaching notions of wall and border as landmarks of civilisation, but also as (necessary) boundaries for creativity. Barriers can separate human and non-human identities, but they can also segregate the “rejects” of society. The essays explore the ethical implications of walls in a range of historical periods and locations. The topics include British and American culture, classical music in Canada, fascist Italy, interwar France, German military history of World War II, and colonial North America in the seventeenth century. With contributons by Pina Palma, Iman Nick, David Fontanals, Christian Moretti, Jafar Baba, Vincenzo Lisciani Petrini and Trang Dang.