Between the Material and the Possible / Infrastructural Re-examination and Speculation in Art

Over the past decade, a growing number of artists, theorists, curators, and researchers have moved from institutional critique to infrastructural critique, or infrastructural speculation, in which they explore the potential of creative visions and scenarios. In attempts to counter various impasses, art has immersed itself in systemic critiques and propositional thinking, addressing major challenges such as the rampant financialization of the economy and runaway climate change.

From questions around space settlements to the possibility of repurposing blockchain and financial instruments for redistributive purposes, from the diagrammatic potential of infrastructural thinking in artistic practices to scenario planning and economic strategizing, this collection of new essays brings together critical analysis from a broad group of contributors. Their interrogations span local and global relationalities, historical and political legacies, as well as future-oriented infrastructural hypotheses.

BASSAM EL BARONI (ED.)