After Art (POINT: Essays on Architecture) by Joselit, David (2012) Paperback

by David Joselit

Art as we know it is dramatically changing, but popular and critical responses lag behind. In this trenchant illustrated essay, David Joselit describes how art and architecture are being transformed in the age of Google. Under the dual pressures of digital technology, which allows images to be reformatted and disseminated effortlessly, and the exponential acceleration of cultural exchange enabled by globalization, artists and architects are emphasizing networks as never before. Some of the most interesting contemporary work in both fields is now based on visualizing patterns of dissemination after objects and structures are produced, and after they enter into, and even establish, diverse networks. Behaving like human search engines, artists and architects sort, capture, and reformat existing content. Works of art crystallize out of populations of images, and buildings emerge out of the dynamics of the circulation patterns they will house.Examining the work of architectural firms such as OMA, Reiser + Umemoto, and Foreign Office, as well as the art of Matthew Barney, Ai Weiwei, Sherrie Levine, and many others, "After Art" provides a compelling and original theory of art and architecture in the age of global networks.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Architecture, Art History, American

Paperback

First published October 28, 2012

About the author

David Joselit is an American art historian who is currently Professor of Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University, and also a published author, including being an editor of October.

Reviews

[JJ]

Went over my head a bit. Ending was lol: "One need not exit the art world or denigrate its capacities. Instead, we must recognize and exploit its potential power in newly creative and progressive ways. Our real work begins after art, in the networks it formats."

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

an apt subtitle:

“so you’re ready to sell out for the algorithm? affirmations for artistic integrity in late capitalism”

[Iulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“image power - the capacity to format complex and multivalent links through visual means - is derived from networks rather than discrete objects. This means that works of art must develop ways to build networks into their form by, for example, reframing, capturing, reiterating, and documenting existing content - all aesthetic procedures that explicitly presume a network as their ground.”

[diderot · Rating 5 out of 5]

heart-eyes for david joselit <3_<3

[Danica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short, dense, and fun to read exploration of what has happened to art in the wake of the digital image explosion and the death of Benjamin's aura. Joselit sees the state of things as positive and exciting; the time in which we live is one where value is measured through an objects connectivity, flexibility, and ability to channel power flow. This argument can be applied to art, artists, institutions, and even international bodies. After Art makes nice and neat the terrifying sprawl and clout of the capital letters Art World. While doing little to reflect what it looks like to be a tiny cog in a big machine, or to be outside of he described system (minorities, poor people, the uneducated etc) it also gives hope that individuals can do big things granted they are willing and able to interact, be flexible, and have a sense of play about the whole thing.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think David Joselit has some enlightening things to say about art and its commodification and use as a currency, I think he makes some rather odd analogies, especially along the lines of currents, networks and currency. I found his theory that museums are money launderers eye opening, but having studied graph theory, worked on networks both real and virtual, along with some of my readings on economics and capitalism, I do think he is reaching a bit. It was an enjoyable read, well-written and short enough to finish on a long plane ride.

[Mayee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joselit takes the paradigm of currency/circulation drawing from notions of the postindustrial knowledge economy, and applies it to contemporary art. mostly notes on a framework which is not very developed. touches on contemporary parametrical architectural devts, museums as institution of knowledge production and circulation, image as content, art as fold, remade in connectivity and the network.

[oenggun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short map to understand how the art world transformed in contemporary era.

[Egor xS · Rating 2 out of 5]

As my teacher put it, a bit stuffy. Yes, it is somewhat jumbled, and reads like preliminary notes towards a greater comprehensive study

[Melos Han-Tani · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting essay on art that has power to go past the limitations and class connotations of museums - art that goes beyond a single medium... or something. i have to reread. the book is pretty short