Usable Pasts: Social Practice and State Formation in American Art

Usable Pasts examines how the New Deal in American cultural politics has influenced social practice art, revealing the mythic and material afterlives of the New Deal and its impact on society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

Usable Pasts delves into two pivotal periods in the United States where the state significantly increased its financial support for socially engaged cultural works. In the 1990s, political artworks by artists such as Suzanne Lacy, Rick Lowe, and Martha Rosler played a crucial role in ushering in an era of social practice art. This artistic movement encompassed a range of practices, including participatory installations, community-based projects, and interventions that aimed to address social and political issues. On the other hand, in the 1930s, the leftist Cultural Front emerged, fostering a proliferation of experiential theatre, modern dance, and photography. By examining these trends and their interconnectedness, Usable Pasts unravels the mythic and material legacies of the New Deal in American cultural politics. Through this comprehensive analysis, the book offers a fresh perspective on the history of social practice art in the United States. The book explores the aesthetics and politics of these artistic endeavors, shedding light on how they sought to transform society by leveraging the power of art. From teenage mothers organizing exhibitions that challenged welfare reform to communist dance troupes choreographing their struggles as domestic workers, Usable Pasts addresses a wide range of social and political contexts. It examines the ways in which these artistic interventions shaped public discourse, challenged dominant narratives, and advocated for social change. By examining the intersections of art, politics, and state formation, Usable Pasts contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics that shape cultural production and societal transformation.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642599008