Immaterial: Rules in Contemporary Art

Contemporary art can seem chaotic, but rules are a key part of what many artists do when they make their works. These rules can explain disparate developments in installation art, conceptual art, time-based media art, and participatory art. Rules are meaningful in themselves and help to activate the meanings of non-art materials and found objects. Preserving rules as well as objects is reshaping how museums maintain their collections. Where rules collide with real-world circumstances, they may be broken maliciously, mistakenly, or for good reasons, threatening the work's meanings and sometimes its very existence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Contemporary art can be a bewildering realm, with artworks made from unconventional materials such as toilet paper, edible candies, and discarded meat after each exhibition. Some pieces create an overwhelming sense of chaos, while others purport to be solely conceptual, relying on ideas, thoughts, or language. However, beneath these unruly appearances, a fundamental aspect of contemporary art is the use of rules.

Immaterial, a book by Sherri Irvin, argues that making rules is a crucial part of the creative process for many contemporary artists. These rules shape the structure and expression of their works, contributing to diverse developments in installation art, conceptual art, time-based media art, and participatory art. Irvin demonstrates how rules have become an artistic medium in their own right, integral to the composition and meaning of artworks.

Understanding the rules is essential for audiences to fully appreciate and engage with art. Rules provide meaning to non-art materials and found objects, activating their significance. Without knowledge of these rules, audiences may miss out on the rich layers of meaning embedded within the artwork. Similarly, the loss of information about the rules, akin to the loss of a piece of marble, can severely damage the artwork's integrity. Preserving rules and objects is thus becoming an important aspect of museum collections, as it reshapes how institutions maintain and exhibit their collections.

When rules collide with real-world circumstances, they can be broken maliciously, mistakenly, or for legitimate reasons. This can threaten the meanings and even the existence of the artwork. It raises questions about the role of rules in contemporary art and whether we should celebrate their prominence.

While rules may not always be used effectively, they possess the unique ability to create distinctive meanings and provide powerful immersive experiences that cannot be achieved through other means. Contemporary artists leverage rules to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and invite audiences to engage with art in new and thought-provoking ways.

In conclusion, rules play a significant role in contemporary art, shaping the structure, expression, and meaning of artworks. While they may sometimes be broken or challenged, they offer artists a powerful tool to create distinctive meanings and provide immersive experiences. Understanding and appreciating the role of rules in contemporary art can deepen our appreciation for this dynamic and ever-evolving artistic landscape.

Weight: 632g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199688210