Relational aesthetics. How relevant?
Bourriaud defined the approach of relational art or relational aesthetics simply as: "a set of artistic practices which take as their theoretical and practical point of departure the whole of human relations and their social context, rather than an independent and private space."
There is many interesting points in his book and i recommend it. It's a good and relevant book. However, i am skeptical about the subversive effects Burriaud claims this art has in relation to everyday social practice.
The interesting part to me is relational art's correlation to socially responsive communication. Both act on the level of social relations. The main difference however is the context of production and representation.
This excellent documentary shows the many different effects today's art scene generates. In certain moments it gets pretty absurd. Like when artists claim they are not part of something they are being associated with by prominent art critics and curators...
There is definitely a weight of relevance to the whole thing about relational art. But what exactly is it?
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