Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 [Paperback]

Simon Leung (Editor), Zoya Kocur (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 16, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0631228675 | ISBN-13: 978-0631228677 | Edition: 1

Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 is a groundbreaking anthology that captures the essence and the edge of the contemporary art scene.

• Provides the first truly comprehensive and international anthology of theory in contemporary art of the last two decades.
  
• Brings together a broad selection of important contributions to the fields of contemporary art, theory, and culture from established and emergent art voices, including scholars, curators, critics, and artists from around the globe.
  
• Focuses on key theoretical and aesthetic issues in contemporary art, such as cultural/multicultural theory, identity politics, AIDS, post-colonialism, globalization, and spectatorship.
  
• Includes editorial material and 44 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a much-needed primer on the role of critical thought in the art of the last twenty years. At a time when some have mourned – or alternatively celebrated – the death of art theory, this valuable anthology traces its viability – indeed, its necessity – for understanding recent aesthetic practice.” Pamela Lee, StanfordUniversity

Book Description

Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 is a groundbreaking anthology that captures the essence and the edge of the contemporary art scene. Focusing on key theoretical and aesthetic issues in contemporary art in cultural, historical, and socio-political contexts, including media, architecture, postmodernism, multiculturalism, identity politics, censorship, AIDS, postcolonialism, globalization, technology, and spectatorship, this volume brings together a broad selection of important contributions that map out the role that critical theory has played in contemporary art. This anthology mixes established and emergent art voices, including scholars, curators, critics, and artists. Interdisciplinary in approach and drawing on a wide variety of sources, Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 brings together scholarly essays, artists' statements, and art reproductions to capture the vibrancy and dissonance that defines today's art scene.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (August 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631228675
• ISBN-13: 978-0631228677
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > German
  • #41 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Pop
  • #45 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Contemporary Art

More About the Author

Zoya Kocur is an independent scholar based in New York. She has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Art and Art Professions at New York University and also at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. She is the former Associate Curator of Education at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Anthropology from Harvard University and masters degree in Studio Art from New York University. She is completing her doctorate in Visual Culture at Middlesex University in London. Kocur's most recent book is "Global Visual Cultures: An Anthology" (2011). She is currently working on the second edition of "Theory in Contemporary Art Since 1985" (forthcoming 2012).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delivers exactly what it says!, November 9, 2006

By 

Joe Clay (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 (Paperback)

Honestly there isn't much to say about this book. If you have ever wondered what happened to art after "modernism," this is the book to read. It's a must for any contemporary artist--contemporary as in present, not in the art sense, which would cut off around Warhol. This book can also be used to prove to anyone who thinks art doesn't require thinking that it requires quite a bit more thinking than they would expect.

If you find reading a normal book challenging, this isn't the book for you. Many of the ideas will escape you unless you have a good working knowledge of the concepts behind postmodern theory, such as semiotics and psychoanalytic theory (especially Freud and Lacan). I would recommend Visual Culture: The Reader (edited by Evans and Hall) to provide a basis for this background info.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for art theorists and paper writing!, December 6, 2005

By 

Rens Renfield - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 (Paperback)

This book contains several essential essays for anyone studying contemporary art theory. It is an extremely theoretical book, not to be undertaken lightly. It would help if you had a basic background in some theoretical discourse.
As a graduate student, I have used it in several of my theory classes, and it has proven to be extremely helpful in writing papers.

7 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book on theories of contemporary art, October 8, 2005

By 

Qu Yang Yi "Qu" (Victoria BC CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 (Paperback)

I am an honor student in Visual Art at UVIC. This is my text book!