Afterall Journal Issue 41 Explores Bodybuilding as Artistic and Political Practice

The 41st issue of Afterall Journal, released on April 17, 2016, and introduced by Helen Vilalta, delves into 'bodybuilding' as both an artistic and political notion. It examines the works of Neil Bartlett and Stuart Marshall, particularly Marshall's 1988 video 'Pedagogue,' which critiques Margaret Thatcher's policies on homosexuality and Clause 28. Marshall, who passed away from HIV/AIDS in 1993, aimed to deconstruct the neoliberal body. The journal includes an essay by Hannah Black addressing systemic racism and social death, Ion Grigorescu's self-portraits from Romania during the 1960s-70s, Kathy Acker's reflections on mortality, and Holly Herndon's exploration of intimacy and technology. It also features Marshall's films for Channel 4 and Terre Thaemlitz's perspectives on copyright, along with a new research initiative focused on decolonization.