Now is the Time

Art & Theory in the 21st Century

The 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York marked the definite end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the new millennium. This violent transition led to a reconsideration of the post-ideological era and the anything-goes attitude of the preceding years. Fierce criticism of globalization, the return of religion in the social debate and a renewed interest in the canon are examples of the changing zeitgeist. But how do these developments effect art?

Now Is the Time: Art & Theory in the 21st Century draws on seven themes to throw light on how the contemporary art practice and the way art is thought about are intricately entwined with the times. Five of these themes – 9/11, Religion, Globalization, the Canon and Media – offer insight into the preoccupations of contemporary society and the consequences for art and reflection on art. The other two themes, Design and Romanticism, take developments in art and culture as a point of departure for reflection on the social challenges that we face.

The collected essays Now is the Time: Art & Theory results from the successful lecture series with the same name that took place between October 2008 and January 2009 in Amsterdam and that was made possible with the generous support of the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture; the Mondriaan Foundation and the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds. Now is the Time is a collaboration between the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, W139, SMBA and Metropolis M.

Editors: Jelle Bouwhuis, Ingrid Commandeur, Gijs Frieling, Domeniek Ruyters, Margriet Schavemaker, Christel Vesters

Coordinating Editors: Christel Vesters

Authors: Terry Eagleton, Boris Groys, Hou Hanru, Jörg Heiser, Laura U. Marks, W.J.T. Mitchell, Jos de Mul, Robert S. Nelson, Ruth Noack, Rick Poynor, Kaja Silverman, Sean Snyder, Julian Stallabrass, Camiel van Winkel

Paperback | Illustrated (b/w) | 192 pages | Format: 17 x 24 cm

Dutch edition | ISBN 978-90-5662-712-6 | € 24,95

English edition | ISBN 978-90-5662-721-8 | € 29,95

Design: Janna en Hilde Meeus

To order a copy of the publication (English or Dutch), please visit: www.naipublishers.nl/nowisthetime.