ABSTRACT
Analyses of art works have traditionally focused on their form and content and on the sources of change within artistic style. The ‘production of culture perspective’ (see Peterson 1976, Sanders 1982, Tuchman 1983, Jensen 1984) approaches these issues by emphasizing the social organization of art and media production systems as the central factor shaping the style of cultural items. This perspective directs attention to the activities of social actors working together within production organizations (‘collective action’) to conceive, create and distribute artistic materials (Becker 1974). Interaction is importantly constrained by structural features such as the division of labour, available resources, technological developments and distribution channels.
