Overview

By paying tribute to matter, materiality, and materialization, the examples of contemporary art assembled in What’s Next? Eco Materialism and Contemporary Art challenge the social, cultural, and ethical norms that prevailed in the twentieth century. This significant frontier of contemporary culture is identified as ‘Eco Materialism’ because it affirms the emergent philosophy of Neo Materialism and attends to the pragmatic urgency of environmentalism.    In this highly original book, Linda Weintraub surveys the work of forty international artists who present materiality as a strategy to convert society’s environmental neglect into responsible stewardship. These bold art initiatives, enriched by their associations with philosophy, ecology, and cultural critique, bear the hallmark of a significant new art movement. This accessible text, augmented with visuals, charts, and questionnaires, invites students and a wider readership to engage in this timely arena of contemporary art.

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9781783209408

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Reviews

'Environmental responsibility, innovation and the re-discovery of the 'wonder' of life are key to 'What's Next?'. Linda's passion speaks with clarity and directness about the environmental disregard of Consumer Materialism, and about an emerging philosophy New Materialism which she explains has a conscious relationship with all forms of matter, whether an acorn or pencil. New Materialism seeks for humans to regain a sensory and bodily relationship with the physicality of the planet connecting with its inherent materials and processes. Linda grounds the movement of Eco Materialism in these principles within the context of ecology and environmentalism, demonstrating it through the creative responses of the artists. I have been working alone, isolated from other artists and I have felt rather alien to the 'art world'. I was drawn to work with the earth but unaware I was part of a movement, I found my ways of working intuitively, tending the olive grove, making on the shoreline at sunrise, creativity embedded in life. I feel connection with the work of other artists in the book, particularly those with sensory and physical relationships with the raw materials of the earth. I resonate with the first chapter's appreciation and inquiry into materials generated with our bodies, saliva is part of my clay sculptures. It is wonderful how through the chapters of the book Linda brings together our common reference point, taking us on a journey of creative and immersive explorations of the material environment of the planet. Her words beat an urgent call for change.' -- Rachael Mellors, artist 'I just finished What's Next and wanted to [say] how much I loved the book. I am so impressed with [Weintraub's] deep and extensive scholarship, and how [the author is] able to interweave scientific, poetic, and aesthetic strands into a fabric of thought that is clear and beautiful. The book is a real treasure and resource, which asks necessary questions and frames a way forward at a time of crisis. Thank you!' -- Andrea Frank, contemporary artist 'A timely contribution, both to the burgeoning philosophical movement of new materialism, and to a renewed consideration of materiality in contemporary art-making practices, which since the 1960s have increasingly withdrawn from the material conventions of traditional media. What results from Weintraub's efforts is a wide-ranging and fascinating [...] exploration of future-oriented artists experimenting at the vital intersections of philosophy, environmentalism, and art. [...] The sheer range of artists and eco material practices that Weintraub has assembled in What's Next? is astonishing, and alone makes the volume a valuable addition to art and environmental humanities collections.' -- Taylor Eggan, The Goose: A Journal of Arts, Environment, and Culture in Canada

I just finished What's Next and wanted to [say] how much I loved the book. I am so impressed with [Weintraub's] deep and extensive scholarship, and how [the author is] able to interweave scientific, poetic, and aesthetic strands into a fabric of thought that is clear and beautiful. The book is a real treasure and resource, which asks necessary questions and frames a way forward at a time of crisis. --Andrea Frank, contemporary artist Environmental responsibility, innovation, and the re-discovery of the 'wonder' of life are key to What's Next?. Linda's passion speaks with clarity and directness about the environmental disregard of Consumer Materialism, and about an emerging philosophy New Materialism which she explains has a conscious relationship with all forms of matter, whether an acorn or pencil. New Materialism seeks for humans to regain a sensory and bodily relationship with the physicality of the planet connecting with its inherent materials and processes. Linda grounds the movement of Eco Materialism in these principles within the context of ecology and environmentalism, demonstrating it through the creative responses of the artists. I have been working alone, isolated from other artists and I have felt rather alien to the 'art world'. I was drawn to work with the earth but unaware I was part of a movement, I found my ways of working intuitively, tending the olive grove, making on the shoreline at sunrise, creativity embedded in life. I feel connection with the work of other artists in the book, particularly those with sensory and physical relationships with the raw materials of the earth. I resonate with the first chapter's appreciation and inquiry into materials generated with our bodies, saliva is part of my clay sculptures. It is wonderful how through the chapters of the book Linda brings together our common reference point, taking us on a journey of creative and immersive explorations of the material environment of the planet. Her words beat an urgent call for change. --Rachael Mellors, artist

Environmental responsibility, innovation, and the re-discovery of the 'wonder' of life are key to What's Next?. Linda's passion speaks with clarity and directness about the environmental disregard of Consumer Materialism, and about an emerging philosophy New Materialism which she explains has a conscious relationship with all forms of matter, whether an acorn or pencil. New Materialism seeks for humans to regain a sensory and bodily relationship with the physicality of the planet connecting with its inherent materials and processes. Linda grounds the movement of Eco Materialism in these principles within the context of ecology and environmentalism, demonstrating it through the creative responses of the artists. I have been working alone, isolated from other artists and I have felt rather alien to the 'art world'. I was drawn to work with the earth but unaware I was part of a movement, I found my ways of working intuitively, tending the olive grove, making on the shoreline at sunrise, creativity embedded in life. I feel connection with the work of other artists in the book, particularly those with sensory and physical relationships with the raw materials of the earth. I resonate with the first chapter's appreciation and inquiry into materials generated with our bodies, saliva is part of my clay sculptures. It is wonderful how through the chapters of the book Linda brings together our common reference point, taking us on a journey of creative and immersive explorations of the material environment of the planet. Her words beat an urgent call for change. --Rachael Mellors, artist I just finished What's Next and wanted to [say] how much I loved the book. I am so impressed with [Weintraub's] deep and extensive scholarship, and how [the author is] able to interweave scientific, poetic, and aesthetic strands into a fabric of thought that is clear and beautiful. The book is a real treasure and resource, which asks necessary questions and frames a way forward at a time of crisis. --Andrea Frank, contemporary artist

Author Information

Linda Weintraub is a curator, educator, artist, and author of several popular books about contemporary art. She has earned her reputation by making the outposts of vanguard art accessible to broad audiences. Weintraub’s books exploring contemporary art and ecology include What’s Next? Eco Materialism & Contemporary Art (2018), To LIFE! Eco Art in Pursuit of a Sustainable Planet (2012), and Avant-Guardians (2007), a series of textlets that include EcoCentric Topics: Pioneering Themes for Eco-Art; Cycle-Logical Art: Recycling Matters for Eco-Art; EnvironMentalities: Twenty-two Approaches to Eco-Art. Weintraub applies environmental concerns to her personal life by managing a sustainable homestead where she practices permaculture. She is also the author of In the Making: Creative Options for Contemporary Artistsand Art on the Edge and Over: Searching for Art’s Meaning in Contemporary Society. She served as the director of the Edith C. Blum Art Institute located on the Bard College campus where she toured many of the fifty exhibitions she curated, and published over twenty catalogues. Weintraub was the Henry Luce Professor of Emerging Arts at Oberlin College; and currently teaches in the Nomad9 MFA program at the University of Hartford.

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