Block was a hugely influential journal in the developing fields of Visual and Cultural Studies. The journal's editors and contributors sought to further the critical tradition in art history, respond to the work of contemporary artists, and bring the concerns of new cultural and critical theory, particularly feminist and post-colonial theory, to the study of art and design history.
The Block Reader brings together classic writings by leading cultural theorists and artists which were first published in the journal, to provide an invaluable resource for the teaching and study of art and design history and theory and cultural studies.

Between 1979 and 1989, "BLOCK" initiated and responded to key debates in visual and cultural studies, publishing writings by artists, art and design historians and cultural theorists. The journal's editors and contributors furthered the critical tradition in art history, responded to the work of contemporary artists, and brought the concerns of new cultural and critical theory to the study of art and design history. The" BLOCK Reader in Visual Culture" brings together classic writings by leading cultural theorists and artists first published in this seminal journal and which are now unavailable, providing an invaluable resource for the teaching and study of art and design as well as theory and cultural studies.
Contributors: Jon Bird, Barry Curtis, Tamar Garb, Philippa Goodall, Nicholas Green, Frank Hannah, Dick Hebdige, Lucy Lippard, Frank Mort, Kathy Myers, Fred Orton, Claire Pajaczkowska, Griselda Pollock, Tim Putnam, Oliver Richon, Martha Rosler, Lisa Tickner, Necdet Teymur, Judith Williamson.