Brian Kuan Wood Livres

What Was I Thinking? serves as an initiation into the realm of thought. Jalal Toufic, with his analytical mind, creates an open-ended "summa" that explores the arts as a privileged site for thinking, even amidst inevitable failures. He juxtaposes his insights with texts from traditional religions and mystics, achieving a serene detachment and joy in thinking reminiscent of Nietzsche's understanding. Toufic stands out as one of the most original thinkers today, embracing the challenge posed by Heidegger in What Is Called Thinking? His exploration ventures into uncharted artistic territories, delving into their layers, paradoxes, and inherent inaccessibility. This endeavor requires immense courage and unique freedom, allowing his mind to pursue unpredictable conclusions, ensuring his writing remains relevant. His work resonates with the spirit of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and Nietzsche's breakthroughs, establishing Toufic as a significant intellectual force.

This book originated from a two-part issue of e-flux journal exploring the question: What is contemporary art? It raises the critical issue of why this question is rarely asked, allowing it to linger in the background of discussions about twentieth-century artistic movements. The dominance of a single hegemonic “ism” has overshadowed distinct movements and narratives, prompting inquiry into what it means to operate within this singular framework. The term 'contemporary' is often taken for granted, making further demands for a definition seem unnecessary or outdated. However, this apparent self-evidence can obscure deeper issues, as such large, elusive questions lose their problematic nature and exert influence in subtle ways. The paradox of their unanswerability creates a unique condition where artistic work takes place. This volume challenges the simplicity of the term 'contemporary art,' inviting critics, curators, artists, and writers to reflect on the complexities of this broad category. Contributors include notable figures such as Julieta Aranda, Brian Kuan Wood, Anton Vidokle, and others, each offering insights that deepen the conversation around contemporary art and its implications. The series is edited by Aranda, Wood, and Vidokle, emphasizing collaborative exploration of this vital topic.