Sociopolitical Aesthetics: Art, Crisis and Neoliberalism

Since the turn of the millennium, protests, meeƟngs, schoolrooms, reading groups and many other social forms have been proposed as artworks or, more ambiguously, as intervenƟons that criƟque art’s autonomy. The historical origins of these pracƟces can be traced back to the avant-gardes of the early 20th century, which hoped to revoluƟonise both art and life. It is clear, however, that the social and poliƟcal turbulence of the present requires a different framework of analysis than any of those that have been developed to interpret the arƟsƟc developments of a century ago. This book will survey the resurgence of sociopoliƟcal aestheƟcs, tracing key currents of theory and pracƟce, and mapping them against the dominant moƟf of the last decade: crisis.
Drawing upon key arƟsts and theorists within this field – including Gregory SholeƩe, John Roberts, Dave Beech, Gail Day, Martha Rosler, KirsƟn Stakemieir and Marina Vishmidt – this book will locate the configuraƟons of sociopoliƟcal aestheƟcs that might energize struggles that are emerging within a radically altered poliƟcal terrain.