THE INTERACTION AND CONFRONTATION BETWEEN ART AND POLITICS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54503/2953-8165-2025.4(2)-44Keywords:
Art, politics, mutual influence, propaganda of political ideas, aestheticization of politics , politicization of art, Futurism, Dadaism, art of the Third ReichAbstract
The article examines one of the pressing cultural issues of our time, facing political science – the question of the connection between art and politics, which involves identifying its possible causes, the nature of its manifestation and the degree of their interaction or confrontation. Based on the fact that society, as a complexly organized system, for its unimpeded functioning at all times strives to establish, as far as possible, harmonious connections between its components, be it the economic, political, social or cultural spheres, the existence of a certain connection between politics and art is also recognized. It is argued that ignoring this problem can confront a person with inexplicable processes occurring in society, complicating the understanding of their causes and consequences. The specific manifestations of this relationship are analyzed in two contexts: firstly, from the point of view of the subordination of art to political goals, and secondly, taking into account the ability of art to specifically influence political processes. The defining role of art in the processes of aestheticization of politics and politicization of art, which has become especially strong since the beginning of the 20th century, is emphasized.
The analysis demonstrates that many avant-garde movements of the 20th century contributed to the aestheticization of politics, while political regimes – especially autocratic and totalitarian ones – intensified the politicization of art. The article concludes that although art in democratic societies seeks to function independently of politics, in today’s conflict-ridden world the work of any genuine artist inevitably reflects a civic position.
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