As part of its efforts to document the best modern art experiences in the region, and highlight major causes and challenges that face artists and experts regionally and globally, the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) released a new book "Art in the Age of Anxiety" that proceeds the dialogues held during a recent exhibition it organized under the same name between June 26 and September 26, 2020.
The book is edited by Omar Kholeif, SAF director of collections and senior curator, and its preamble is written by Hoor Al Qasimi, SAF president and director.
The book comprises 428 pages including articles by some of the most prominent intellects in the fields of image and Internet culture, covering the influence of widespread devices and electronic platforms on the audience. "Art in the Age of Anxiety" is co-released by London-based Morell Books and is being distributed around the world by The MIT Press.
The book also contains original articles, critical pieces, and artistic interventions that explore the digital world through various views. It also provides a photographic documentation of the exhibition, and showcases internet discoveries by many artists.
“Art in the Age of Anxiety” was made during the lockdown, which gives it a unique pattern that reflects our view of modern art during the crisis.
The publication also covers many topics including the future of finance, the role of art in post-COVID-19, mental health in the digital age and audience's experience with virtual exhibitions. The book was formed by a large team including writers, artists, designers, photographers, and publishers who raised important questions about our future and how humanity would adapt to it.
Among those who contributed to the book are Anonymous, Saira Ansari, Cory Arcangel, Jeremy Bailey, Douglas Coupland, Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Omar Kholeif, Aruba Khalid, Norman M. Klein, WJT Mitchell and Todd Reisz.
It also features photographic articles by Cory Arcangel, Douglas Coupland, and SimonDenny, in addition to photographs from the exhibition by Danco Stepanovich.
Art in the Age of Anxiety exhibition aimed at exploring the impact of devices, modern technologies, and digital networks on our mass awareness in today's world. It brought together a group of modern artists, and featured over 60 artworks including sculptures, printings, videos, VR shows, robots, and algorithms produced by over 30 artists from around the world.
