The Materiality of Nothing: Exploring Our Everyday Relationships with Objects Absent and Present

The Materiality of Nothing examines the unseen, intangible, and fleeting materials and objects of everyday life and the connections we share with them, drawing on over 15 years of original research. It unites established fields of material culture and materiality with emerging sociological studies on nothing and the unmarked, exploring how these materials shape memories, meanings, and identities, and raise questions about sustainability and consumption.

Format: Hardback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Materiality of Nothing delves into the enigmatic, ethereal, and fleeting materials and objects that permeate our daily lives, examining the intricate connections we forge with them. Through extensive original research spanning over 15 years, this groundbreaking work expands upon the growing body of research on the ordinary and seamlessly integrates it with emerging sociological studies that explore the concept of nothingness and the unmarked. The chapters encompass a wide range of topics, including lost property, museum curation, plastic microfibers, thrift, music, and even hair, shedding light on the profound ways in which invisible and intangible materials evoke memories, meanings, and identities, intricately linking us to others, places, and things. Moreover, the book engages critically with issues of sustainability and consumption, raising thought-provoking questions about society's insatiable desire for material accumulation and offering alternative perspectives. By unraveling the hidden significance of the mundane, The Materiality of Nothing offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the world around us, challenging our assumptions and prompting us to reevaluate our relationship with the material world.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367655570