Dara Birnbaum's 'Wonder Woman' Video Analyzed in New Afterall Book

T.J. Demos has authored a new monograph on Dara Birnbaum's seminal video work 'Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman' (1978-79), published by Afterall Books as part of the One Work series. The publication examines Birnbaum's pioneering use of video as a medium, situating her practice within postmodernist appropriation, media analysis, and feminist politics. Demos argues for a reinterpretation of Birnbaum's work, shifting focus from deconstruction of mass cultural ideology to her creative retooling of consumer imagery. The video itself features secretary Diana Prince repeatedly transforming into Wonder Woman, isolating and looping the spinning metamorphosis to expose television's language, gender representation mechanisms, and the technology behind the transformation. The book is available for purchase via MIT Press and preview on Google Books.