The book presents an analytical history of pivotal moments in the development of contemporary art. Based on a series of lectures delivered in the early 2000s, it includes a comparative description and analysis of the works of Western artists (such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Yves Klein) and Russian, particularly St. Petersburg, artists (such as Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Sterligov, Evgeny Mikhnov-Voitenko, Timur Novikov).

Their biographies, the histories of artistic movements, and new technologies form the main narrative of the study. The book is intended for readers interested in the history, theory, and philosophy of contemporary culture.

Ekaterina Andreeva is an art historian, curator, and art critic. She is a specialist in Russian and international art of the 20th and 21st centuries, holds a Ph.D. in Art History, a Doctorate in Philosophy, and is a leading research fellow in the Department of Contemporary Trends at the State Russian Museum.