“The advent of conceptual art marked a major shift in the history not only of art but of ideas. As a philosopher and critical writer on art and aesthetics, Peter Osborne describes and contextualizes in his Survey the distinct ways in which artists contested the aesthetic definition of the artwork by highlighting the role of ideas in the production of meaning from visual forms. The Works section illustrates the most influential artworks associated with conceptual art, as well as those of its most significant precursors and of recent artists who draw upon its legacy. Critical writing by conceptual artists is integral to their practice. In the Documents section essential writings by artists and critics who shaped the movement are juxtaposed with those of thinkers and philosophers whose influence was crucial to its development.” (first flyleaf)