Sociopolitical Aesthetics

Since the turn of the millennium, protests, meetings, schoolrooms, reading groups and many other social forms have been proposed as artworks or, more ambiguously, as interventions that critique art’s autonomy. The historical origins of these practices can be traced back to the avant-gardes of the early 20th century, which hoped to revolutionise both art and life. It is clear, however, that the social and political turbulence of the present requires a different framework of analysis than any of those that have been developed to interpret the artistic developments of a century ago. This book will survey the resurgence of sociopolitical aesthetics, tracing key currents of theory and practice, and mapping them against the dominant motif of the last decade: crisis.

Drawing upon key artists and theorists within this field – including Gregory Sholette, John Roberts, Dave Beech, Gail Day, Martha Rosler, Kirstin Stakemieir and Marina Vishmidt – this book will locate the configurations of sociopolitical aesthetics that might energize struggles that are emerging within a radically altered political terrain.