Audience participation has polarized the critical debate surrounding contemporary art's social, moral and aesthetic potential. This incisive collection of essays sheds new light on the political, ethical and artistic capacity of participatory works and tests the most recent theoretical approaches to the subject. Internationally renowned art historians, curators and artists analyse the impact of collaborative aesthetics on personal and social identity, concepts of the artist, the ontology of art and the role of museums in contemporary society. Essays tease apart notions of 'interactivity', 'collaboration', 'performance', 'relational aesthetics' and 'social art' for the purpose of clarifying a range of conflicting approaches to the making and reception of art and promoting a dialogue between art historians, curators, and artists. They ask: what are the ways in which audiences experience contemporary art? Do participatory art forms generate a new type of aesthetic education that is capable of shaping social and political behaviour? What degree of co-operation is required for such artworks to be successful? What approaches do curators take to such works when organizing exhibitions? Through close analysis of interactive artworks in a range of media, Interactive Contemporary Art examines current critical debates in this field and proposes new ways of conceptualizing participatory practices.

'This volume is more than just an addition to the present literature in the field, it is a valuable and unique contribution to it. More to the point, Interactive Contemporary Art does not toe the line- and it is all the more compelling for that very reason.' Marsha Meskimmon, Professor of Art History and Theory, Loughborough University. 'This book gives a valuable global perspective on interactive art, illuminating studies of exemplary interactive works, and considers dimensions of interactivity from the technological to the political - It's also an exciting and stimulating read.' Michael Newall, Senior Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Art, University of Kent, Canterbury. 'This timely book fills a significant gap in the literature on interactive, participatory and socially engaged art and will be essential reading for those interested in current practice.' Caroline Turner, Senior Research Fellow, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University.

Kathryn Brown is Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Tilburg, The Netherlands.