Empires, Ruins and Networks examines the place of art in a world that is being deliberately polarized by the fear of terrorism. In the wake of September 11 the global political imagination has been gripped by a need to build defensive measures against unknown threats.

This collection of essays seeks to engage with the shifting forms of cultural identity and new modes of cultural production in contemporary society. In place of the politics of fear that is supporting a new militarism, these essays build bridges supporting new cultural flows across the south and speak against the silencing of indigenous and immigrant communities.

Aiming to provoke a dialogue between art and politics, Empires, Ruins and Networks proposes new models of artistic and cultural collaboration that will expand the democratic principles of public culture. Leading artists, critics and curators examine the role and function of art in the contemporary world, and explore ways that artists can contribute to cultural change in the present.

Contributors: Scott McQuire Nikos Papastergiadis Okwui Enwezor Gilane Tawadros Geert Lovink Kevin Murray Carlos Capelan Kendell Geers Lisa Reihana Nick Tsoutas Simryn Gill Multiplicity Tony Birch Virginia Perez-Ratton Eddie Berg Paul Carter Victoria Lynn Ross Gibson Marina Fokidis Lorenzo Romito Sean Cubitt