This essay will primarily investigate the proposal for the redefinition of the artist’s role – ... more This essay will primarily investigate the proposal for the redefinition of the artist’s role – that is, to act as shaman for society. It will analyze if and how Coates embodies this alternative archetype, as put forward by Suzi Gablik in her book The Re-Enchantment of Art (1999) who advocates the necessity of a new frontier of compassionate art with a spiritual dimension. Secondly, this essay will analyze Coates through the lens of a non-believer in the power of ritual, a con man; I will consider the implications of the artist posing as shaman, and the potential damage of Coates’ use of cultural appropriation. The aim is to investigate the possibility whether an artist can have a sincere civic duty whilst ultimately yielding career benefits from community interaction, as protected by the art world bubble the artist remains exempt from society.
Art is not, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not a game in which... more Art is not, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man's emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity. According to Tolstoy's definition of art, our duty as artists is for the welfare and unity of humanity. This essay considers the duty of the artist, according to individual, social and ecological needs and definitions. Firstly it shall explore flaws in how artists define themselves by considering corruption within the art world. Then by reinstating the artist's shamanic function, one considers alternate standards to define a successful artist by: the artist's ability to heal, compared to innovate. Finally I consider the sustainability of an artist's concern for legacy and socially ostracized lifestyle, in the face of radical social change. Geologist have now come to the disconcerting realization that human beings have so altered the planet, that we have ushered in a new epoch: 'Anthropocene-the Age of Man' (Kolbert, 2012). The population is spreading like bacteria; driven with materialistic greed, humans are parasites on the earth. Are these rapidly evolving technologies; that are changing social habits, brain chemistry and cultural and moral values of human beings, mirrored with the same kind of progress in our spiritual growth? As a species we are becoming more connected, yet more individualistic. Enslaved and conditioned by our screens, we are weakened and day dreaming, taking in more information in a day than our ancestors did in a lifetime. Are we advancing into a new more intelligent species, in control of its own evolution? Or are we becoming lifeless from unrelenting over saturated and nullified imagery? More aware of the world out there, yet more deceived. Caught between destruction and distraction we have bred a generation of super consumers, with reduced attention spans and demanding appetites. Encouraged from childhood to broadcast our opinions, whilst obscured by narcissistic profiles. Simultaneously, the Internet has given the masses freedom of information and an empowering voice. A generation of 'keyboard warriors " are aware that the seemingly unshakeable systems of hierarchy operate primarily as a business. The art world is also a business, both corrupted and insular. Can the artist, aloof and exempt from the system, sleep easy anymore? Is it time that we reconsidered the function of the artist and redefined our aims, audience and politics. In evolution, the most adaptable creatures survive. We are intelligent enough to recognize that the hyper-masculine nature of modern culture – exalting individuality and applauding the pursuit of happiness over the demise of the whole – will, if unchanged, lead to our extinction. The question is whether human kind will be wise enough to cast off this inherently conditioned
This essay will primarily investigate the proposal for the redefinition of the artist’s role – ... more This essay will primarily investigate the proposal for the redefinition of the artist’s role – that is, to act as shaman for society. It will analyze if and how Coates embodies this alternative archetype, as put forward by Suzi Gablik in her book The Re-Enchantment of Art (1999) who advocates the necessity of a new frontier of compassionate art with a spiritual dimension. Secondly, this essay will analyze Coates through the lens of a non-believer in the power of ritual, a con man; I will consider the implications of the artist posing as shaman, and the potential damage of Coates’ use of cultural appropriation. The aim is to investigate the possibility whether an artist can have a sincere civic duty whilst ultimately yielding career benefits from community interaction, as protected by the art world bubble the artist remains exempt from society.
Art is not, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not a game in which... more Art is not, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man's emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity. According to Tolstoy's definition of art, our duty as artists is for the welfare and unity of humanity. This essay considers the duty of the artist, according to individual, social and ecological needs and definitions. Firstly it shall explore flaws in how artists define themselves by considering corruption within the art world. Then by reinstating the artist's shamanic function, one considers alternate standards to define a successful artist by: the artist's ability to heal, compared to innovate. Finally I consider the sustainability of an artist's concern for legacy and socially ostracized lifestyle, in the face of radical social change. Geologist have now come to the disconcerting realization that human beings have so altered the planet, that we have ushered in a new epoch: 'Anthropocene-the Age of Man' (Kolbert, 2012). The population is spreading like bacteria; driven with materialistic greed, humans are parasites on the earth. Are these rapidly evolving technologies; that are changing social habits, brain chemistry and cultural and moral values of human beings, mirrored with the same kind of progress in our spiritual growth? As a species we are becoming more connected, yet more individualistic. Enslaved and conditioned by our screens, we are weakened and day dreaming, taking in more information in a day than our ancestors did in a lifetime. Are we advancing into a new more intelligent species, in control of its own evolution? Or are we becoming lifeless from unrelenting over saturated and nullified imagery? More aware of the world out there, yet more deceived. Caught between destruction and distraction we have bred a generation of super consumers, with reduced attention spans and demanding appetites. Encouraged from childhood to broadcast our opinions, whilst obscured by narcissistic profiles. Simultaneously, the Internet has given the masses freedom of information and an empowering voice. A generation of 'keyboard warriors " are aware that the seemingly unshakeable systems of hierarchy operate primarily as a business. The art world is also a business, both corrupted and insular. Can the artist, aloof and exempt from the system, sleep easy anymore? Is it time that we reconsidered the function of the artist and redefined our aims, audience and politics. In evolution, the most adaptable creatures survive. We are intelligent enough to recognize that the hyper-masculine nature of modern culture – exalting individuality and applauding the pursuit of happiness over the demise of the whole – will, if unchanged, lead to our extinction. The question is whether human kind will be wise enough to cast off this inherently conditioned
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