Review of Two Books on Art Collectives and Collective Pseudonyms from 1956-1969
On October 15, 2019, a review was released that analyzes two works from 2017: 'Individuals Against Individualism: Art Collectives in Western Europe (1956–1969)' by Jacopo Galimberti and 'Improper Names: Collective Pseudonyms from the Luddites to Anonymous' by Marco Deseriis. The critique delves into concepts of collectivity such as multitude, inoperative community, and transindividuality. Galimberti examines collaborative efforts that propose innovative approaches to collective activism, whereas Deseriis investigates how shared pseudonyms facilitate various actions and ideologies. Both authors strive to transcend mere representation to foster tangible change. These texts offer a chance to reflect on critiques of cultural and political representation inherent in these theories and to evaluate the parallels between aesthetic and political expressions. The review is featured in ARTMargins Online, accessible through MIT Press via subscription.
Key facts
- Review published October 15, 2019
- Examines Jacopo Galimberti's 2017 book 'Individuals Against Individualism: Art Collectives in Western Europe (1956–1969)'
- Examines Marco Deseriis's 2017 book 'Improper Names: Collective Pseudonyms from the Luddites to Anonymous'
- Focuses on theories of collectivity: multitude, inoperative community, and transindividuality
- Galimberti analyzes collaborative practices modeling new collective action strategies
- Deseriis examines forms allowing multiple actions and ideologies through shared pseudonyms
- Both authors seek to move beyond representation to enact real change
- Content available through MIT Press subscription-only access
Entities
Artists
- Lindsay Caplan
- Jacopo Galimberti
- Marco Deseriis
Institutions
- ARTMargins Online
- MIT Press
Locations
- Western Europe