Art and Posthumanism: Essays, Encounters, Conversations

In Art and Posthumanism, Cary Wolfe argues for the reconceptualization of nature in art and theory to turn the idea of the relationship between the human and the planet upside down. He explores a wide range of contemporary artworks, examining how posthumanist theory can illuminate and be illuminated by artists' engagement with the more-than-human world. The book explores how contemporary art rivets our attention on the empirically thick, emotionally charged questions of "life" and the "living" amid ecological catastrophe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

In Art and Posthumanism, Cary Wolfe makes a compelling case for reimagining nature in art and theory to challenge the traditional understanding of the relationship between humans and the planet. Through a comprehensive examination of a diverse range of contemporary artworks, including Sue Coes illustrations of animals in factory farms, Eduardo Kacs bioart, and the renowned performance pieces of Joseph Bueys and Eija-Liisa Ahtila, among others, Wolfe explores how posthumanist theory can shed light on and be enriched by artists' engagement with the more-than-human world. By examining biological and social systems, the question of the animal, and biopolitics, Art and Posthumanism delves into how contemporary art captivates our attention on the empirically rich and emotionally charged questions of "life" and the "living" amidst ecological catastrophe.

One of the preeminent theorists of posthumanism, Wolfe takes philosophy beyond the realm of pure theory to demonstrate how a posthumanist engagement with specific works and their conceptual foundations can foster more robust ethical and political commitments. By exploring the complex interplay between art, philosophy, and the nonhuman world, Art and Posthumanism offers a thought-provoking and transformative perspective on our relationship with the natural world and our place within it.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 138 x 215 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517912833