Discussion on Art's Future Waypoints with Marcus Verhagen, Editor of New Directions in Modern Art
In the dynamic world of contemporary art, a series of books is providing a fresh perspective on emerging trends and critical insights. The "New Directions in Contemporary Art" series, edited by Marcus Verhagen and published by Lund Humphries, has been a beacon of innovation since its inception.
Marcus Verhagen, an esteemed figure in the art world, has been at the helm of this series since its inception. With a doctoral dissertation on visual culture in France in the late nineteenth century and over seventy articles and reviews published in prestigious art magazines such as Art Monthly and Frieze, Verhagen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
The series, now consisting of six books, is set to expand further, with titles like "Decentring the Museum: Contemporary Art Institutions and Colonial Legacies" by Nina Möntmann and "Viewing Velocities" by Verhagen himself due out in 2023. These books, like the rest of the series, aim to present accessible, polemical books on contemporary issues in the art world, written in lucid and engaging language.
The series addresses new trends and forms within contemporary art, such as performance art within museum contexts, as evident in titles like Performance in the Museum. It responds to existing debates and is not intended to initiate new ones, providing a platform for scholarly and practice-based viewpoints on current art directions.
The art world has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including lacking infrastructure, skewed support towards the commercial sector, declining state support, and unrepresentativeness of the broader population. However, there have been signs of relief, such as the return of offline shows in 2022 and the promising examples of documenta 15 and the Venice Biennale in 2023.
Two trends of concern in the art world are the potential divergence between the art market and the apparatus of validation (museums, critics, etc.), and the rise of immersive art experiences. The books in the series offer insights into these issues, providing a valuable resource for those navigating the contemporary art landscape.
For budding art writers, Verhagen's advice is straightforward: read and write as much as possible, seek feedback on writing, and consider using a pen name for a few years before using a real name.
Looking ahead, the series plans to tackle topics such as the significance of scale in contemporary art and the use of art as a means of addressing environmental degradation. With Verhagen at the helm, the series promises to continue providing cutting-edge developments and critical insights into the world of contemporary art.
[1] Performance in the Museum - A book from the "New Directions in Contemporary Art" series. [2] Marcus Verhagen - Editor of the "New Directions in Contemporary Art" series.
- Marcus Verhagen, the editor of the "New Directions in Contemporary Art" series, has penned a book titled "Viewing Velocities" that will delve into the realm of performance art within museum contexts, offering insights into the intersection of technology and lifestyle within the contemporary art world.
- In addition to the "New Directions in Contemporary Art" series books, budding art writers can find valuable resources in literature about education-and-self-development, helping them hone their skills and navigate the complex landscape of the art industry with entertainment and intellectual engagement.
