Whitechapel Gallery Livres

Amidst current global uncertainty failure has become a central subject of investigation in recent art. Artists have actively claimed the space of failure to propose a resistant view of the world. Here success is deemed overrated, doubt embraced, experimentation encouraged and risk considered a viable position. Between the poles of success and failure lies a productive space where paradox rules and dogma is refused. This anthology establishes failure as a core concern in contemporary cultural production. Failure is one of a series documenting major themes and ideas in contemporary art.

This anthology reflects on colours' aesthetic, cultural and philosophical meaning through the writings of artists and critics. Their words are placed within the broader context of anthropology, film, philosophy and science.