This master thesis aims to investigate participatory art with focus on socially engaged art. The study is based on Hannah Arendt’s theories of plurality, the public space and the work of art as a ”thought-thing” where the sensory experiences are central. The human’s social life is based on appearances, and individuals appear in front of each other. These appearances are based on a variety of perspectives. The purpose of the essay is to understand what vulnerability means for the art form, and how we as viewers can approach the artwork. By taking a theoretical point of view, the process draws support from Arendt's claim about the work of art as a ”thought-thing”. This is also the method for the thesis where the thought and it’s exploration have a central place and contribute to an organic process. This process follows the events that occur in the outside world like a ”train of thoughts” that connects and develops as a chain. During this process there have been two great world events that have affected peoples freedom and ability to meet: the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine. This led to the study being influenced by art initiatives linked to Ukraine. The study begins with identifying the roles and perspectives in the artwork and then continues to discuss how to approach the analysis. This led to see the artwork as several parts that form a whole with the conclusion that the hermeneutic circle would form an appropriate method. The spectator’s pre-understanding is the starting point of the interpretation and helps to reach a deeper understanding of the subject. Finally the analysis results in an interpretation of the French artist JR’s work The Resilience of Ukraine that takes place in Liviv in March 2022. This participatory artwork illustrates the Ukrainian people’s situation in the war between Russia and their country. The conclusion of the study is that it is important to see whose vulnerability it is that shapes the artwork and that vulnerability is an aesthetic perspective that enables a deeper understanding of the world. The spectator is an active agent that takes part in the appearances even when not formally invited to join the event. With it’s pre-understanding and ability to interpret, the role activates and the spectator gains a deeper understanding of the situation or the artwork. It is the ability to gain deeper understanding that is central for the spectator.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-475942 |
| Date | January 2022 |
| Creators | Göth Nilsson, Annika |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Konstvetenskapliga institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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