From the Book - Regular Print - 2nd ed.
Introduction. Themes of contemporary art : what, why, and how
1. The art world expands. Overview of history and art history : 1980-2008
Old media thrive, new media make waves
A spectrum of voices emerges
Theory flexes its muscles
Art meets contemporary culture
2. Identity. Identity in art history
Identity is communal or relational
3. The body. Past figurative art
4. Time. Time and art history
Exploring the structure of time
5. Place. Places have meanings
Real and simulated places
What's public? What's private?
Profile: Unilever Series at Tate Modern
6. Language. Words with art : a history
Art with words : a history
Recent theories of language
Reasons for using language
Wielding the power of language
Confronting the challenge of translation
Using text in the information age
Profile: Nina Katchadourian
7. Science. What is science
Artists as amateur scientists
Artists adopt scientific tools and materials
The visual culture of science
Classifying humans in the genomic age
Marveling at the universe
Profile: Patricia Piccinini
8. Spirituality. Spirituality and religion
Finding faith and harboring doubt
Expressing religious identities
Facing death, doom, and destruction
Mingling the sacred and the secular
