Surrealist sabotage and the war on work

Product Name: Surrealist Sabotage and the War on Work by Abigail Susik - Exploring Anti-Work Aesthetics in the Surrealist Movement

Surrealist Sabotage and the War on Work by art historian Abigail Susik offers a groundbreaking exploration of how the international surrealist movement engaged with and expanded upon the controversial tactic of sabotage between the 1920s and the 1970s. As labor activists in Europe and the United States theorized and applied sabotage as a form of resistance—through techniques like work-to-rule, time theft, and voluntary unemployment—surrealists were simultaneously transforming their art into a powerful form of unmanageable anti-work.

In this book, Susik provides four in-depth case studies that delve into surrealism’s transatlantic war on work. The analysis highlights the pivotal impact of surrealist concepts such as principled work refusal, permanent strike, and the pursuit of autonomous pleasure on the art and texts of key figures like Man Ray, André Breton, Simone Breton, André Thirion, Óscar Domínguez, Konrad Klapheck, and the Chicago surrealists.

Key Features:

1. Exploration of Surrealist Sabotage:
   
   • Susik uncovers the international surrealist movement's deep and sustained engagement with sabotage as an aesthetic and political strategy, demonstrating how surrealists sought to turn their art into an unmanageable form of anti-work resistance.
2. Transatlantic Perspective:
   
   • The book offers a transatlantic perspective on surrealism’s impact, tracing how the movement’s ideas about work refusal crossed borders and influenced artists across Europe and the United States.
3. Case Studies of Key Surrealists:
   
   • Through detailed case studies, Susik examines the influence of surrealist concepts on major figures in the movement, revealing how these ideas shaped their creative outputs.
4. Connection to Contemporary Labor Issues:
   
   • Surrealist Sabotage and the War on Work connects historical surrealist practices with modern debates about gendered labor, the wage gap, overwork, and the gig economy. The book highlights surrealism's continued relevance in today’s discussions about work and exploitation.
5. Interdisciplinary Approach:
   
   • Combining art history, labor activism, and cultural studies, this book offers a unique and multifaceted perspective on the intersection of art and work.

Why This Book is Essential:

• Innovative Exploration: Provides a comprehensive analysis of how surrealist artists used their work to challenge and resist traditional labor norms.
• Critical Historical Perspective: Situates surrealism within the broader context of labor activism, offering new insights into the movement’s political and social relevance.
• Relevance to Modern Issues: Relates surrealism’s anti-work ethos to contemporary debates about labor, making it a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of art and work.
• Artistic and Theoretical Depth: Offers detailed case studies of key surrealist figures and their work, enriching our understanding of the movement’s impact on art and society.

Ideal for Art Historians, Cultural Critics, and Labor Activists:

Surrealist Sabotage and the War on Work is an essential resource for art historians, cultural critics, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, labor, and politics. Abigail Susik’s innovative analysis reveals the enduring power of surrealism’s challenge to traditional work structures and its relevance to today’s labor struggles.

Order your copy today and discover how surrealists transformed art into a powerful tool for resisting exploitation and reimagining the possibilities of work!