THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THINGS

This essay explores the centrality and ambiguity surrounding thing in recent attempts to articulate an object-oriented politics. Attempting reconnect seemingly divergent ways which has been theorized – as object, assembly, Freudo-Lacanian Ding discussion analyses persistence of libidinally charged scenes “naked” human encounter within efforts orient politics around objects. Subtending a Western conception assembly ideal modern political form, this persistent object is described meeting, social genre that received little sustained philosophical attention but shapes everyday experience political. The meeting emotionally ambivalent scene collective sensual articulated space anti-politics work both done undone. concludes by illustrating dynamics emergence European capitalism through brief analysis painting Rembrandt.