Anton Vidokle Boeken

Using an archive of electronic announcements distributed by e-flux, The Best Surprise is No Surprise documents significant recent developments in art-related media releases, which are now global, instantaneous and linked coming and going. Readers can track the dissemination of information about exhibitions, publications, events and symposia organized and selected by some of the most active international curators, artists, critics and art historians of our time. That information is accompanied by brilliant color images of the events themselves, so that the book becomes a resource documenting recent contemporary exhibitions as well as the evolution of their self-portrayal and promotion. With an introductory essay by Daniel Birnbaum, an interview by Hans Ulrich Obrist, and 250 e-flux announcements selected by Zdenka Badovinac, Ariane Beyn, Mircea Cantor, Binna Choi, Hedwig Fijen, Elena Filipovic, Liam Gillick, Jens Hoffmann, Eungie Joo, Samuel Keller, Francesco Manacorda, Viktor Misiano, Naeem Mohaiemen, Jessica Morgan, Molly Nesbit, Ernesto Neto, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Natasa Petresin, Brian Sholis, Nancy Spector, Christine Tohme, Tirdad Zolghadr and many more.

Exploring themes of technological immortality and resurrection, this book delves into Anton Vidokle's films through the lens of Cosmist philosophy. It features essays and dialogues with notable theorists and artists who analyze Vidokle's work, initiated in 2014, including full film scripts. Contributors discuss various concepts such as radical museology, space travel, and the intersections of life and death. The book presents diverse perspectives on contemporary theories, artistic practices, and the implications of Cosmism on society and politics.

e-flux video rental (EVR) is a project by Anton Vidokle and Julieta Aranda, comprised of a free video rental store, a public screening room, and a film and video archive. Its collection, selected in collaboration with a large group of international curators, consists of more than 550+ art films and video works, and is available to the public for home viewing free of charge. EVR started a year ago in a small storefront on the Lower East Side in New York – the international headquarters of the Electronic Flux Corporation. Since then it has traveled to venues in Berlin, Amsterdam, Miami, Frankfurt, and will soon appear in Seoul and Vienna amongst other locations. For each of its new locations, EVR expands its inventory to include new selections by local curators invited jointly with the hosting institutions. A program of talks and special screenings will continue at all branches.