Collective Situations ─ Readings in Contemporary Latin American Art 1995-2010

In Collective Situations scholars, artists, and art collectives present a range of socially engaged art practices that emerged in Latin America during the Pink Tide period between 1995 and 2010. This volume's essays, interviews, and artist statements—many of which are appearing in English for the first time—demonstrate the complex relationship between moments of political transformation and artistic production. Whether addressing human rights in Colombia, the politics of urban spaces in Brazil, the violent legacy of military dictatorships in the region, or art’s intersection with public policy, health, and the environment, the contributors outline the region’s long-standing tradition of challenging ideas about art and the social sphere through experimentation. Introducing English language readers to some of the most dynamic and innovative contemporary art in Latin America, Collective Situations documents new possibilities for artistic practice, collaboration, and creativity in ways that have the capacity to foster vibrant forms of democratic citizenship.

Bill Kelley Jr. is Assistant Professor of Latin American and Latino Art History at California State University Bakersfield.

Grant H. Kester is Professor of Art History at the University of California, San Diego and author of The One and the Many: Contemporary Collaborative Art in a Global Context, also published by Duke University Press.