Nymaterialism/ New Materialism

"The work in the exhibition New Materialism illustrates how the distinction between form and content is difficult to maintain and that the content also comes out of the material and is not only conveyed by it. The physical and tactile are realities that we obviously neither want nor can ignore.” - Magnus af Petersens, curator ”New Materialism” is the title of a major group exhibition at Bonniers konsthall, which brings together thirteen artists who work with textiles, clay, wood, and ceramics, and whose work often involves an exploration of the actual production process. This book highlights contemporary art’s fascination with craft as a method and material. It contains older, now classic, texts on the topic, as well as new writing about the artists involved. Conceptual art and craft have long been thought of as polar opposites when it comes to ’high’ and ’low’ art, but this polarisation seems increasingly antiquated. ’New Materialism’ focuses on the practice of contemporary artists who use materials, techniques, and references to older traditions, addressing the notions of consumption, production, and democracy prevalent in our times. Participating artists: Tonico Lemos Auad, Andrea Büttner, Andreas Eriksson, Theaster Gates, Petrit Halilaj, Katrine Helmersson, Sheila Hicks, Abdoulaye Konaté, Ellen Lesperance, Éva Mag, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Lee Mingwei, Francis Upritchard. University.