Art and Labour: On the Hostility to Handicraft, Aesthetic Labour and the Politics of Work in Art

This book explores the transition from workshop to studio, apprentice to pupil, guild to gallery, and artisan to artist, challenging the notion that the artist is a relic of the feudal mode of production. It reveals that the history of art formation can be traced back to the dissolution of the dual system of guild and court, rethinking the categories of aesthetic labor, attractive labor, alienated labor, nonalienated labor, and unwaged labor in the modern and contemporary politics of work in art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Haymarket Books

This groundbreaking book delves into a thorough re-examination of the evolving interplay between art, craft, and industry, particularly focusing on the transition from workshop to studio, apprentice to pupil, guild to gallery, and artisan to artist. Addressing the critical question of whether the artist can be considered a vestige of the feudal mode of production or a commodity producer aligned with the capitalist mode of cultural production, Beech unveils a fascinating revelation. Instead of suggesting that the artist is merely a relic of the past, he argues that the history of art's distinct formation from handicraft, commerce, and industry can be traced back to the dissolution of the dual system of guild and court.

To fully comprehend the significance of this essential history, it is imperative that we revisit it. This re-examination will enable us to reevaluate the categories of aesthetic labor, attractive labor, alienated labor, nonalienated labor, and unwaged labor that shape the modern and contemporary politics of work in art. By delving into these categories, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics and challenges that artists face in their pursuit of creativity and economic sustainability.

This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and anyone interested in exploring the evolving relationship between art, craft, and industry. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical, social, and economic factors that have shaped this relationship and offers insightful perspectives on the future of art and labor. Through its engaging and thought-provoking narrative, this book encourages us to reimagine the possibilities for artistic expression and the role of artists in society.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642594232