These collected essays constitute a powerful argument for renewal in contemporary "critical are history"-a form of combined intellectual inquiry and social engagement with a long history stretching back to the beginnings of the 20th century.Their shared focus---on modernity and modern art,and the relations between these and contemporary culture and society---is derived from the author's own immersions in this history,as individuals,scholars,and activists for radical intellectual and social change.

The purpose of this book is to present together these authors and their essays---some newly written,some revised for this publication---for a new generation of students and teachers wishing to seek out arguments for,and commitment to ,the tradition of social art historical writing on modern art and society.