What is computational art? How does it involve us in unprecedented aesthetic relationships, making us part of works and even transfor­ming them? This book looks at how computation causes an ontolo­gical shift that turns dynamics, causality, and cognition into central components of art, artistic practices, and aesthetics. Computational art is more conceptual than perceptual; it is performative, experien­tial, situated, experimental, creative, and intersubjective. Computa­tional art is unst...

This thorough study on the work of the German-Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin exposes - in Benjamin’s own metaphor - the ‘dwarf of theology’ hidden in the machinery of his work, his own form of ‘historical materialism’. In doing so it unearths and explains his language theory, his art theory, his most cryptic baroque book, his philosophy of history, and, last but not least, his famous labyrinthine unfinished opus magnum on Paris, The Arcades project (the first philosophical book ...

'On the Contrary: Rethinking Engaged Art in an Age of Social Unrest' is a collection of essays that re-evaluate key artistic concepts that influence the way in which engaged practices are conducted. Historically produced ideas about, for example, spectatorship, autonomy, what an artwork is, and the political role of the artist determine to a large degree how contemporary practices constitute themselves. Might these concepts be faulty when acted out in practices that occupy fundamentally diffe...

Mix & Stir, this book’s aim is an endeavour to understand art as being a panhuman phenomenon of all times and cultures; to steer away from the persistent Eurocentric/Western-centric viewpoint towards a transcultural and transnational interconnected model of exchange and processes of interculturalization. Mix & Stir wants to expand this landscape by bringing to the fore new, recalcitrant, queer, idiosyncratic practices and discourses, theories and topics, methods and concerns that open up wa...

This edited volume offers an in-depth exploration of Dutch media art from 1985 onwards from many different perspectives. Through early access to the Internet, state subsidies and dedicated institutions and festivals, a vivid counter-cultural environment and a cosmopolitan artistic and intellectual scene the Netherlands hold a unique position in regards to the development of media art.

Introduced by four chapters that retrace the main events and actors (governmental institutions, festivals an...

In 'The emancipated museum' the art historian and researcher Steven ten Thije engages in a personal inquiry into the importance of art museums in a society that is becoming ever more fragmented. In spite of the unprecedented success of museums in attracting masses of visitors, the future of the museum is uncertain. Museums may appear calm and self-assured to outsiders, but not even this noble showcase of art is immune to the cracks in society. The tensions between high and low, newcomer and n...

Queer Culture+ explores the rich intersection of queer studies and art, emphasizing how these two fields coalesce to challenge societal norms and redefine identity, gender, and sexuality. Queer studies, an inherently interdisciplinary field, delves deep into understanding and critiquing traditional concepts of gender and sexuality while embracing non-normative identities. The text situates queer art within this context, illustrating how it has evolved from marginalized expressions to mainstre...

Media, Arts & Design Education+ explores the dynamic intersection of arts education and global diversity, offering insights into how inclusive and innovative educational practices are reshaping the field. This volume features contributions from international scholars and practitioners, examining how arts education evolves in response to societal shifts, digital innovation, and the growing need for inclusivity. Through critical discussions and case studies, the book highlights the transformati...

The fourth instalment of the ‘Teaching Objects’ series revolves around “Creation”. In this art novella the reader is guided by Lisa, a young artist who is facing death. A dialogue with four works by the American painter Cy Twombly emerges from the question of life’s duration, and Lisa discovers the secret of creative speech. The protagonist’s thoughts bring her to Gaeta, a seaside town near Velia, the ancient Greek town in Italy, now named Elea – the place where the school of Pa...