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First of all, when was the last time when we used the word/term "function" of art in our dictionaries? Probably - in the beginning of the 19th century. And what happened in the meantime? How did this - for centuries non-mentioned - word/term appear of a sudden?
Thinking of any "function" of art in the age of modernity was [and somehow still is] almost a heresy! Nowadays, the question that rises is what, in the near future, the essence and the character of the art will be? One thing is almost clear: art has to leave the "art work" as it was defined throughout the modernity. But then, is it possible or, crucially, what is going to happen to the artist?
It is almost certain that art is heading toward a different system. This does not mean one more new institution of art within the existing one. In a word: this will represent the structure of "acting" on behalf of the community. That, somehow, means that the "artes" [the ability or skillness] of producing different points of view towards the natural and social reality and actuality from the pre-modern era are turning/coming back to the art-stage. And they are intervening, more and more, into the spheres of common interest - the interest of the community. This statement seriously endangers, still very present, the so-called autonomy of art and the position of the artist as a genius individual. That causes abandoning the canonising of art production or artistic behaviour [on behalf of the freedom and the autonomy of art], leading to conditions in which art becomes so self-referential that it loses its link to the community. It exists only for the artist's or critic's sakes. By this: what, finally, was the aim of any existing art?
The expectations and the needs of the social community are changed in the meantime. They are different.
Having some parts of the art production in mind from the last ten years, there is a need to start thinking of some radical changes in the field of art production. One can say that it will be turning back, but art in the near future has to place the needs and the expectations of the community as a priority in the artist's mind. I am talking about "socially related art". One that will allow the social community to act, together with the artist, one for the sake of the community, the one respecting it.
In other words, it means that art will have to have some social functions different from the present ones. Counting on the circular [not linear] structure of the concept of time, this will be a new, or at least, another art that will be written in "...". After this, we will not be able to refer to the common understanding of the term "art" under these conditions. One will/must accept leaving the autonomy of the modern concept of art and overtake responsibility on behalf of or in the name of the community to act for it's sake.
It is time for us to prepare for such a change. Having to leave our denominations from the art world system, it is time to accept the new conditions of "art". There is still time to take a look in the old books - just to be prepared.
Nebojsa Vilic
Skopje |
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