In our world of “free speech”, we are permitted to say and to show an image of our society that is acceptable for all, but if we overstep those boundaries than we risk the possibility of offending the status quo. This is the area where esthetics and politics mix and either agree or disagree. In his reading of esthetics Rancière uses the history of labour as a mirror of the history of art in a way whereby he brings the light, or essence of each reflection, together to distil a new paradigm.
The failure of art is a reflection of the place of the artist in society and because the value of the artists’ work does not transcend the value placed on it by the ruling classes it can never effect change. In the “regime” of labour the artist is on
par with others of that class and so
has little voice in changing society. Yes, he or she may scream loudly but no one is really listening.
Rancière also postulates that the artist is outside of the strata that is labour and craft, and in some ways traverses between that level of being and some higher level that allows the artist to function as a sounding board for political esthetical posturing.
Is it possible for art to be more than reactionary and escapist when it attempts to evoke political change, or does it take real action and feet on the ground, such as took place with the labor movements in the last century? If we look at a recent political action that was perpetuated by the Mayor of Lima when he destroyed the art works of numerous artists to satisfy his own anger at the previous governing body and his personal philistine beliefs of what is art, the answer is clear. The Arts communities’ reaction to it was a muffled whimper, and, I would say, Art was ineffective in stopping that change.
The local Arts Community of Lima is divided into small individual enclaves, or individuals with some power but it is not
coalesced into a political movement with enough power of esthetics to demand change. Peru needs a coherent Arts Group that can work for real change within and outside the system. Peru needs a National Artists Union to
demand rights and gallery fees, and
Medicare, and Pensions for the country's creative community! This sector has the financial power to really effect change but it must be united! The art “Stars” must step down from their pedestals and lead the way to a better future for the arts and politics in this country. Most countries in the world have such organizations but Peru has yet to see that the Creative and Cultural Sector is one of the biggest sources of finance for its Government. That my friend, is the Esthetics of Politics and the Politics of Art!
Dissensus: On Politics and Aesthetics by
Jacques Rancière is available on Amazon
Khipuz -Philosophy
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