The Clever Object presents a multidisciplinary exploration of the ways objects materialise, embody, or negotiate various forms of intelligence, revealing its use as an analytic tool of art-historical interpretation. * Presents an original theory ("the clever object") that draws on contributions from a variety of fields, including history of art, anthropology, philosophy of science, and design history * Features interviews with two contemporary artists * Advances a theoretical conversation by combining historical contributions (from medieval/early modern) with contemporary perspectives * Represents the results of a project developed from an intensive research seminar in which all contributors participated and developed their work in evolving dialogue

Matthew C. Hunter is Assistant Professor in the Department of Art History and Communication Studies at McGill University. He is author of Wicked Intelligence: Visual Art and the Science of Experiment in Restoration London (2013) and co-editor of Beyond Mimesis and Convention: Representation in Art and Science (2010). Francesco Lucchini is a Psychoanalytic Training Candidate at the C. G. Jung Institut, Zurich. He is also an art historian and theorist with an interest in the relationship between objects and ideas, thinking and things.

6 Notes on Contributors 8 Chapter 1 The Clever Object: Three Pavilions, Three Loggias, and a Planetarium Matthew C. Hunter and Francesco Lucchini 32 Chapter 2 Aleardino's Glass Francesco Lucchini 52 Chapter 3 Object, Image, Cleverness: The Lienzo de Tlaxcala Byron Ellsworth Hamann 80 Chapter 4 Picture, Object, Puzzle, Prompter: Devilish Cleverness in Restoration London Matthew C. Hunter 102 Chapter 5 Screen Wise, Screen Play: Jacques de Lajoue and the Ruses of Rococo Katie Scott 142 Chapter 6 William Morris's Tapestry: Metamorphosis and Prophecy in The Woodpecker Caroline Arscott 160 Chapter 7 Fischli and Weiss's Equilibre/Quiet Afternoon (1984-5) Rachel Wells 174 Chapter 8 Clever Objects - Tell-Tale Objects Simon Starling in conversation with Christiane Rekade 186 Chapter 9 Fragments of Great Visions Ian Kiaer in conversation with Christiane Rekade 198 Chapter 10 Response: Clever Fetishists Roman Frigg 204 Chapter 11 Response: Playing Dumb Glenn Adamson 211 Index