An updated edition of the hugely successful original anthology that captures the essence and the edge of the contemporary art scene.

Since its initial publication in 2005, Theory in Contemporary Art has established itself as an indispensable resource for scholars of art theory. Featuring an updated theoretical framework and the addition of numerous writings reflecting the latest developments in the field, the Second Edition captures the vibrancy of the contemporary art scene and the role of critical theory within it. The volume combines core texts from the first edition with state-of-the-art theoretical writings, and juxtaposes non-Western viewpoints with those from mainstream art centers. This edition also assembles a dazzling array of academics, artists, curators, and critics to explore a range of new topics on the art theory agenda, including: the proliferation of international biennials; genealogy of the term “contemporary art”; the relationship between aesthetics and politics; feminism and pornography; ecology and art; the Middle East and conflict studies; global capitalism and Eastern European art; gender and war; and technology.

Updated and reorganized to offer the best collection of state-of-the-art readings on the role of critical theory in contemporary art, this second edition of Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 brings together scholarly essays, artists’ statements, and art reproductions to capture the vibrancy and dissonance that define today’s art scene.

• Incorporates new and updated topics that have become central to art theory and practice over the past decade
• New and updated chapters cover such topics as: international biennials, historicizing of the term “contemporary art”, aesthetics, art and politics, feminism and pornography, ecology and art, the Middle East and conflict studies, Eastern European art and politics, gender and war, and technology
• Features a thematic reconfiguration of sections and new introductions to make readings user–friendly
• Extensively illustrated throughout with an expanded color-plate section
• New contributions to this edition include those by Alexander Alberro, Claire Bishop, T.J. Demos, Anthony Downey, Liam Gillick, Marina Gr?iniæ, Mary Kelly, Chantal Mouffe, Beatriz Preciado, Jacques Ranciere, Blake Stimson, and Chin-Tao Wu.