After Art David Joselit Pdf · No Login

To understand the weight of the title After Art , one must first understand what comes "before." For centuries, Western art history was dominated by the study of the object. Whether it was a Renaissance painting, a modernist sculpture, or a minimalist installation, the artwork was a discrete, physical entity. It had an aura, a specific location, and a stable identity. The art historian’s job was to trace influences, analyze forms, and categorize styles.

Joselit suggests that images possess a life force that operates independently of the artist's intent. Once an image is released into the world (or the web), it mutates. It interacts with other images. It competes for survival in the harsh environment of the attention economy. after art david joselit pdf