"Irina Kulik’s book is a rare and precious gem in art theory literature. It is written by someone who loves art more than their own standing in the art world. It focuses on a theme vital to each of us: the image of the future, the search for new utopias—without which society cannot develop, nor can individuals thrive. At the same time, it is a foundational study of global and Russian contemporary art. It helps readers see the inherent logic of art’s development, giving attentive readers a magical key to understanding art."
—Olga Sviblova, curator, founder and director of the Multimedia Art Museum, Honored Artist of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts

★ The first hauntological study focusing on Russian and international contemporary visual art, filling a gap in art theory and offering significant professional value.
★ Uses "hauntology" as a unique lens, connecting renowned artists and creators like Ilya Kabakov and Andrei Tarkovsky. The content balances depth and distinctiveness.
★ Endorsed by Olga Sviblova—founder and director of the Multimedia Art Museum, Honored Artist of Russia, and Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts. Her authoritative background enhances the work’s credibility.

By the end of the 20th century, the "bright" future that art and society once dreamed of ceased to be imagined as such—it either sparked anxiety or indifference.

"Hauntology"—a term coined by French philosopher Jacques Derrida and re-interpreted by British pop culture researcher Mark Fisher—refers to the search for the lost idea of the future within the abandoned utopias of the past.

Projected Paths: Contemporary Art Through a Hauntological Lens is the first study applying hauntology to Russian and international contemporary visual art. Its subjects include Ilya Kabakov and Robert Smithson, Pierre Huyghe and Rirkrit Tiravanija, Jeremy Deller and Alexander Gronsky, Jon Rafman and Taisiya Korotkova, Daniel Lopatin and Andrei Tarkovsky.