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Contemporary Art in New Materialist Modality

Type: Calls For Papers [View all]
Posted by: Chicago State University
Deadline: Fri, May 1st, 2026

New Materialism is the philosophy of 21st century that has molded diverse fields of inquiry from the sciences to sociology and political studies. It prompted scholars in various disciplines to reexamine the concept of life and reoriented their perspective on the agency in all things, living and non-living, and their intimate connectivity. All beings, humans, animals, organic as well as non-organic forms are considered on an equitable planar level, capable of merging to create symbioses and rhizomic assemblages. Such notions have wide implications, questioning the boundaries of once assumed finite beings, expunging binary systems, and challenging anthropocentricism. These ideas are broadly interpreted as well as explicitly represented in disparate works of art.

 

There are quintessential publications on New Materialism and its influence on various fields. Its impact in art works, however, have been dealt in a sporadic manner, present in the overall theoretical focus of a book or an article. Recently, seminal exhibitions have showcased and published catalogues of New Materialist art works, but the approaches have been specific in scope and divergent in perspective. There had been no comprehensive art historical account that encompasses all New Materialist themes and addresses prominent trends of late 20th and 21st century art in the frame of this prevalent philosophy of the day.

 

Contemporary Art in New Materialist Modality considers New Materialism as the groundwork or driving force of contemporary art and seeks chapters that expound and substantiate this thesis. Overarching historical accounts of contemporary art in alignment of New Materialist ideologies as well as topical studies of critical components of New Materialism that are represented or evident in a quantitative and qualitative body of artworks are welcome. The latter can focus on definitive subject such as symbiosis or intra-action as well as interpretive or applicative exercises such as studio practice and art activism.

 

Please send an abstract of 300-500 words and a 2-page CV to Soo Kang (skang@csu.edu) by May 1, 2026.

Posted on Thu, January 22nd, 2026
Expires on Fri, May 1st, 2026

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