Dystopian and Utopian Impulses in Art Making: The World We Want

Contemporary art has a complex relationship to crisis, reflecting and amplifying the effects of the crisis while also allowing us to imagine new ways of living and being. This collection of essays explores artistic responses to various crises, including the climate emergency, global and local inequalities, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggests new forms of collectivity and collaboration within artistic practice. The primary market for the book is scholars and upper-level students of art and curating, but it will also appeal to practicing artists and curators engaged in social practice and community-based art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 396 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2023
Publisher: Intellect Books

Contemporary art has a multifaceted and intricate relationship with crisis. On the one hand, art possesses the potential to lead us towards an apocalyptic future, depicting the unraveling of chaos, reflecting and amplifying the consequences of crises, and revealing the dystopian aspects of both our present reality and our imagined futures. On the other hand, the complexity of art enables us to grapple with the uncertainty of the world, question and challenge the established order, and foster the imagination to envision new ways of living and being—to create entirely new worlds.

This compilation of written and visual essays encompasses artistic responses to diverse crises, including the climate emergency, global and local inequalities, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores innovative forms of collectivity and collaboration within artistic practice, with a focus on perspectives from Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Throughout history, art has always been a response to the world around us; the essays in this collection delve into how artists are adapting to a crisis-ridden world.

The contributions to this book are organized into four sections: artistic responses, critical reflections, new curatorial approaches, and the art school reimagined. Alongside the written chapters, three photographic essays showcase specific examples of new visual forms emerging in artistic practice during times of crisis.

The primary target audience for this book consists of scholars and upper-level students studying art and curating at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Specifically, this book will appeal to the growing field of research surrounding socially engaged art. However, its significance extends beyond the academic and student circles, captivating practicing artists and curators, particularly those engaged in social practice and community-based art.

In conclusion, contemporary art plays a vital role in navigating the complexities of crisis, offering us insights into the world's challenges, inspiring change, and fostering new possibilities for a better future. Through its multifaceted expressions, art enables us to understand the world more deeply, challenge the status quo, and envision a brighter and more inclusive world.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 177 x 251 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789386523
Edition number: New ed