Pieter Vermeulen – The Sleep of Reason

This book presents a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary artistic practices within a broader cultural context. It argues that art offers valuable insights into the human condition and our shared existence, balancing reason and imagination, creation and contemplation, poetry and inquiry. While art may not have the power to save the world, the author suggests it deepens our understanding of ourselves and others, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring challenges that haunt us like indomitable monsters. Through a combination of essays, criticism, and conversations, the author skillfully examines the meaning of art in times of crisis and engages in thoughtful dialogue with various authors, particularly focusing on Belgium's vibrant artistic scene. Key themes include the artistic fascination with time capsules, art in outer space, the aesthetics of administration, collective experiments in self-organization, artistic quests for truth, the politics of listening, gentrification, hippie modernism, alternative pedagogies, and the enduring power of the imagination.