Robert Smithson, Land Art, and Speculative Realities

Rory O'Dea (The New School, USA.)

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
06 May 2025

Theory of art; Sculpture; Literature: history & criticism; Religion: general; The environment

Series: Routledge Research in Art History

This book explores the ways Robert Smithson’s art revealed and defamiliarized the constructs of rational reality in order to allow radically speculative alternatives to emerge.

In this way, his art is conceived as a true fiction that eradicates a false reality. By tracing the web of correspondences between Smithson and science fictional, speculative and mystical modes of thought, Rory O’Dea explores the aesthetic encounters engendered by his art as a means to warp the contours of reality and loosen the boundaries of being human. Given the current and impending catastrophes of the Anthropocene, which represents the ever-expanding planetary shadow cast by humanism, the possibility of being other-than-human posited by Smithson’s art is a matter of urgent concern.

The book will be of interest to scholars working in art history, contemporary art, American studies and environmental humanities.

By: Rory O'Dea (The New School USA.)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 174mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781032304786
ISBN 10: 1032304782
Series: Routledge Research in Art History
Pages: 170
Publication Date: 06 May 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Rory O’Dea is Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Art and Design at Parsons School of Design.