Modern Times: Temporality in Art and Politics

Jacques Rancière critiques modernism and postmodernism for their unilinear and exclusive view of time, arguing that time is a form of life marked by the ancient hierarchy between those who have time and those who do not. He shows how the break with this hierarchical conception of time, formulated by Emerson in his vision of the new poet, implies a different idea of the modern, which is fulfilled in the two arts of movement, cinema and dance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: Verso Books

In his book, Jacques Rancière takes a radical stance in critiquing modernism and its postmodern appendix. He juxtaposes their linear and exclusive notion of time with the intricate interplay of temporalities at work in contemporary processes of emancipation and artistic revolutions. By highlighting this plurality, Rancière reveals how it inherently pertains to the dual dimension of time.

Time, as Rancière understands it, transcends a mere line connecting the past to the future. It encompasses a vibrant essence of life, marked by the ancient hierarchy between those who possess time and those who do not. This hierarchy, perpetuated in the Marxist concept of the vanguard and blatantly evident in Clement Greenberg's modernism, continues to shape a present that clings to the illusion of historical necessity and its experts.

In stark contrast to this prevailing perspective, Rancière presents a groundbreaking vision of the modern. He argues that the rupture with the hierarchical conception of time, as formulated by Emerson in his vision of the new poet, entails a wholly different understanding of the modern. According to Rancière, the realization of this lies in the two arts of movement, cinema, and dance, which, at the dawn of the twentieth century, eradicated the dichotomy between free and mechanical individuals. However, this abolition came at the cost of exposing the gap between the revolution of artists and that of strategists.

Through his meticulous analysis, Rancière unveils the profound implications of this shift. He demonstrates how the break with the hierarchical time framework allows for a reimagining of the modern, one that embraces the complexities and contradictions of our contemporary world. By exploring the interplay between temporalities, Rancière sheds light on the ways in which artistic movements and social revolutions interact, shaping the trajectory of human history.

In conclusion, Jacques Rancière's book is a seminal exploration of the complexities of time and modernism. Through his radical critique, he challenges the linear and exclusive notions of time that have dominated Western thought. By highlighting the plurality of temporalities and their interconnectedness, Rancière offers a fresh perspective on the modern, one that emphasizes the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of human experience. His work encourages us to reevaluate our understanding of time and its role in shaping our world, paving the way for a more inclusive and progressive future.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 140 x 205 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839763199