The Communist Postscript (Pocket Communism) - Hardcover

Boris Groys

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844674304 ISBN 13: 9781844674305

Publisher: Verso, 2010

Synopsis

The contemporary world, argues Boris Groys, was made possible by the downfall of historical communism. At the same time, todays political and aesthetic strategiesfrom a unified Europe to political Islam and contemporary mass cultureall bear the imprint of communist heritage. The renowned art critic and philosopher Boris Groys explores this post-communist condition through a radical and disturbing account of Soviet philosophy. He argues that communist revolution is the transcription of society from the medium of money to the medium of languagea linguistic turn at the level of social praxis. From Platos philosopher-king onwards, philosophers have dreamt of ruling society through the mastery of language. Groys claims that the end of Soviet communism sets this dream free for new attempts to organize society through language, the medium of equality.

About this title

Review

A timely intervention in present debates about the legacy of communism... a provocative addition to Groys' brilliantly paradoxical body of work, and deserves to be read in a suitably contrary frame of mind. --Brian Dillon, Art Review

Praise for Art Power: Art Power recombines categories, reconfigures assumptions, and, in the end, reimagines what art writing can be. Bookforum Praise for The Total Art of Stalinism: This is not just a book, but an event ... The Total Art of Stalinism is an intellectual landmark. --The Art Bulletin

The range of topics canvassed in Art Power is impressive ... All of these subjects have been comprehensively treated elsewhere, but rarely with Groys' penetrating eye for the unexpected upshot of such developments. --Frieze

About the Author

BORIS GROYS is Professor of Aesthetics, Art History, and Media Theory at the Center for Art and Media Technology in Karlsruhe, and since 2005, the Global Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Science, NYU. He has published numerous books including The Total Art of Stalinism, Ilya Kabakov: The Man Who Flew into Space from His Apartment, and Art Power

Edition details

• Publisher: Verso
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1844674304
• ISBN 13: 9781844674305
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160