This refers to the process of changing an image from one format to another. A painting becomes a digital photo becomes a meme becomes a screensaver. Every time an artwork is transcoded, it loses some original information but gains new social meaning. Joselit is fascinated by the "glitch"—the artifacts of translation (low resolution, cropping, filters) become part of the work itself.
Conclusion After Art reframes how we think about contemporary art by prioritizing circulation and relational systems over static definitions of the artwork. It equips scholars, curators, and artists with concepts for analyzing how meaning and value are made in a media-saturated, market-driven art world. While it risks sidelining material and local practices, the essay remains a powerful provocation: to understand contemporary art, attend to the networks that move it. after art david joselit pdf
| Publication | Summary | |---|---| | Artforum (Sept 2022) | Hailed the PDF as “the most incisive statement on post‑digital visual culture since The Age of Curiosity .” | | Frieze (Oct 2022) | Praised the practical suggestions but warned that “the call for institutional openness risks being co‑opted by corporate data‑harvesters.” | | The New York Times (Nov 2022) | Noted the essay’s “refreshing humility” in acknowledging that the “after‑art” condition is still being written. | This refers to the process of changing an
In his influential 2013 book After Art , art historian David Joselit explores how the digital age and globalization have fundamentally changed the nature of art. He argues that the traditional view of art—as a unique object tied to a specific medium—is becoming obsolete. Instead, he suggests we are entering an era where art is defined by its ability to circulate, replicate, and transform within global networks. The Core Argument: From Objects to Networks Joselit is fascinated by the "glitch"—the artifacts of
Unlike traditional leftist art criticism (which focused on what art depicts ), Joselit focuses on how art moves . He asks: Who controls the circuits of art’s distribution? When an artwork goes viral, is that democratization or exploitation? The PDF is dense with examples from Rirkrit Tiravanija to Sherrie Levine, showing how artists weaponize copying.
Joselit’s title doesn't mean art is over; it means we are in the era after art was defined solely by the physical object. This shift allows art to have a new kind of political and social power. When images circulate freely, they can bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach a global audience instantly. Key Takeaways for Today's Creatives: