A groundbreaking collection that pursues the rise of geoculture as an essential framework for arts criticism, The Planetary Turn shows how the planet?as territory, sociopolitical arena, space of interaction for life, and artistic theme?is increasingly the conceptual and political dimension in which artists picture themselves and their work. In an introduction that comprehensively defines the planetary model of art, culture, and cultural-aesthetic interpretation, the editors explain how the planet is emerging as distinct from older concepts of globalization, cosmopolitanism, and environmentalism and is becoming a new ground for work in literature, art, and social humanities. Written by internationally recognized scholars, the twelve essays illustrate the unfolding of a new vision of potential planetary community that retools earlier models based on the nation-state or political ?blocs? and reimagines cultural, political, aesthetic, and ethical relationships for the post?Cold War era.