Distant Early Warning: Marshall McLuhan and the Transformation of the Avant-Garde

Marshall McLuhan, a media theorist, is explored as an underappreciated figure in art history in "Distant Early Warning." Art historian Alex Kitnick argues that McLuhan was influenced by art and artists, and his work directly influenced the art and artists of his time. Kitnick builds the story of McLuhan's entanglement with artists by drawing out connections among McLuhan, his theories, and the artists themselves, including Marcel Duchamp, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, and Nam June Paik. The book reveals McLuhan's influence on the avant-garde through the confluence of art and theory, showing him as a multifaceted figure who affected multiple generations of artists and their works.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 13 July 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Marshall McLuhan, a renowned media theorist often regarded as the pioneer of media studies, possessed a significant contribution to the field of art as well. Despite his widespread recognition for decades through magazine interviews and television specials, McLuhan remains an underappreciated yet captivating figure in the realm of art history. Until now, his connections with the art of his own time have largely remained unexplored. In Distant Early Warning, art historian Alex Kitnick delves into these rich connections, presenting a compelling argument that McLuhan was both influenced by art and artists, while also exerting a direct influence on the art and artists of his era.

Kitnick skillfully constructs the narrative of McLuhan's entanglement with artists by meticulously unraveling the interconnections between McLuhan, his theories, and the artists themselves. The story is replete with notable figures such as Marcel Duchamp, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Nam June Paik, and many others. Kitnick adeptly weaves this historical tapestry with McLuhan's own words and provocative ideas about art, unveiling McLuhan's profound impact on the avant-garde through the convergence of art and theory. The enlightening outcome unveils new dimensions of McLuhan, revealing him not merely as a theorist or influencer but as a multifaceted individual who exerted a profound influence on multiple generations of artists and their works.

The book concludes with Kitnick overlaying McLuhan's ethos onto the current state of contemporary and post-internet art. This final channeling of McLuhan is a swift and beautiful analysis, infused with a personal touch, of the recent transgressions in the art world and the potential future trajectories it may embrace. Through this lens, Kitnick offers a poignant reflection on the evolving landscape of art and its potential for transformation.

In conclusion, Marshall McLuhan's multifaceted legacy extends beyond his renowned status as a media theorist. His profound connections with art, explored in Distant Early Warning by Alex Kitnick, shed light on his underappreciated influence on the artistic landscape. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Kitnick unveils McLuhan's profound impact on the avant-garde, revealing him as a multifaceted figure who shaped the artistic expressions of multiple generations. This book serves as a valuable contribution to art history, offering a fresh perspective on McLuhan's enduring influence and his lasting impact on the world of art.

\n Weight: 304g\n
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226753454\n \n