This publication intersperses essays from scholars, historians, and
thinkers with a selection of Allan Sekula's seminal texts and excerpts
from his private notebooks. The title is a reference to Okeanos--son of
Gaia, the Greek goddess of the earth--who ruled over the oceans and
water. Made and written across the decades, Sekula's sketches and texts
focus on maritime space and the material, economic, and ecological
implications of globalization. In projects such as his magnum opus Fish
Story (1989-95), or films like Lottery of the Sea (2006) and The
Forgotten Space (2010), Sekula provided a view from and of the sea.
This publication expands on these oceanic themes, seeking to honor the
scope and complexity of the late artist-theorist's work, and situate his
ideas in current political, social, and environmental discourses.
The book is divided thematically: the section "Containerization" focuses
on the sea as a site of infrastructural complication; Sekula's work
Black Tide / Marea negra (2002-3) is also revisited, which explores
environmental violence and contamination as well as their social
implications; a selection from Sekula's personal drawings are
accompanied by an essay by photo historian Sally Stein; various essays
readdress Sekula's legacy in the age of the Anthropocene; and a number
of case studies by contemporary artists, writers, and thinkers examine
ideas that overlap with Sekula's and expand on his interests.
Copublished with Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Barcelona, and
Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Vienna
**Contributors
**Nabil Ahmed, Keller Easterling, Carles Guerra Rojas, Celina Jeffery,
Laleh Khalili, Rosa Lleó, Gabriele Mackert, Jegan Vincent de Paul,
Filipa Ramos, Cory Scozzari, Allan Sekula, Sally Stein, Philip
Steinberg, Daniela Zyman
