This collection of more than thirty texts, which were originally published between 1790 and the present day, explores man’s rich relationship with material things. Devised largely in response to the gradual breakdown of the divide between art and design that began over a century ago, this book sheds light on the ways that the concept of the thing as idea has been considered over time.

Realism Materialism Art (RMA) introduces a diverse selection of new realist and materialist philosophies and examines their ramifications on the arts. Encompassing neo-materialist theories, object-oriented ontologies, and neo-rationalist philosophies, RMA serves as a primer on “speculative realism,” considering its conceptual innovations as spurs to artistic thinking and practice and beyond.

For years now our lives have been shaped by a crisis impacting both our economy and our personal lives. But what is ultimately in crisis? Survival Kits offers twelve perspectives on this issue—from fields as diverse as philosophy, politics, media theory, environmental activism, feminism, post-human theory, literature, geopolitics, art, and economics.