Just in Time / Giusto in tempo: Theorising the Contemporary / Pensare il contemporaneo

The volume explores the concept of contemporaneity from different perspectives and disciplinary fields, highlighting its complexity as the co-presence of different times and a rupture in the present. It emphasizes that the contemporary is untimely and just in time, relating to time through anachronism and being more present than the present of actuality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2023
Publisher: Mimesis International

The book explores the concept of contemporaneity from various perspectives and disciplinary fields, including philosophy, literature, and art theory. In the realm of historiography, contemporaneity is often perceived as the present era, succeeding modernity. However, this simplistic understanding fails to capture the intricate nature of the contemporary. In its original sense, contemporaneity signifies the co-existence of different times, a rupture in temporal continuity, and a meeting point where the past and the future converge. The contemporary is characterized by its untimeliness, as it relates to time through anachronism, making it both timely and just in time. It surpasses the present of actuality and becomes a realm of heightened presence.

Contemporaneity: A Multidisciplinary Exploration

Contemporaneity is a concept that has captivated the minds of scholars and thinkers across various disciplines. It refers to the simultaneous existence of different times, a disconnection of temporal continuity, and a rupture in the present that creates a space where the past and the future intersect. In the realm of historiography, contemporaneity is often perceived as the present era, succeeding modernity. However, this simplistic understanding fails to capture the intricate nature of the contemporary.

In its original sense, contemporaneity signifies the co-existence of different times, a rupture in temporal continuity, and a meeting point where the past and the future converge. The contemporary is characterized by its untimeliness, as it relates to time through anachronism, making it both timely and just in time. It surpasses the present of actuality and becomes a realm of heightened presence.

The book explores the concept of contemporaneity from various perspectives and disciplinary fields, including philosophy, literature, and art theory. It delves into the ways in which contemporaneity manifests itself in different cultural contexts, historical periods, and artistic expressions. The authors examine the complexities of contemporaneity, including its relationship to time, space, identity, and power.

One of the key themes of the book is the notion of anachronism, which refers to the temporal displacement of objects, ideas, or events. Anachronism is a central feature of the contemporary, as it allows for the re-examination of historical events and the re-imagining of the present. The authors argue that anachronism is not simply a matter of historical inaccuracy but rather a tool for understanding the complexities of contemporaneity.

Another theme of the book is the idea of rupture, which refers to the breakdown of established systems and structures. The contemporary is characterized by a sense of rupture, as traditional modes of thinking and understanding are challenged and replaced by new paradigms. The authors explore the ways in which rupture creates opportunities for innovation, creativity, and social change.

The book also examines the relationship between contemporaneity and power. The authors argue that power is not only exercised by governments and institutions but also by individuals and social movements. They explore the ways in which power is used to shape contemporaneity, including the ways in which it is contested, resisted, and subverted.

In conclusion, the book offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the concept of contemporaneity. It provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the contemporary, challenging traditional notions of time, space, and identity. The authors argue that contemporaneity is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that requires a multidisciplinary approach to understanding. By examining contemporaneity from various perspectives and disciplinary fields, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of our contemporary world.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 143 x 210 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788869774171