Critical Dictionary

Critical Dictionary Synopsis

Critical Dictionary is an ambitious cornucopia of thoughts, images, and illustrations from online art magazine criticaldictionary.com, in addition to newly commissioned work. The title alludes to the mock dictionary that philosopher Georges Bataille edited for Documents in 1929 and 1930. Like this famous precedent, Critical Dictionary aims to puncture pretension, bringing words and their referents down to earth. Entries include Accident, Civilization, Drone, Error, Fragment, Informe, Metaphor, Monument: Mycelium, Portrait, Quotation, Retort, Smell, Touch, Umfunktionierung, Voice, Wander, XXX and Zoo. Critical Dictionary includes contributions from artists, illustrators and photographers including Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, David Campany, Common Culture, Karen Knorr, Ann Lee, Jake Walters and Penelope Umbrico.

All entries are fully illustrated with eccentric photography and illustrations, making Critical Dictionary a unique look at the meanings of words and philosophy.