PUBLICATIONS

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ARTIST TODAY?

Tokyobook 2 (page 28)

The role of the artist is to produce works of art. This brings us to the question of the nature of art itself—a question widely debated in the field of aesthetics and one that has never been resolved through the development of a single theory. From a phenomenological perspective, I will simply state that "art" is that which we recognize as such, both individually and collectively.

The works produced by the artist exist beyond pure reason; thus, philosophy identifies them as a coexistence of matter (the physical reality of the work: canvas, color, video image, space, body, sound, gesture...), reason (what can be said and known about the work), and spirit (sensibility).

What characterizes the production of artworks today? It is not the changing forms of art, since—beyond any notion of evolution—this necessity for transformation seems inherent to art across all eras. Indeed, we recognize the quality of "artwork" in the cave paintings of Lascaux, the paintings of Giotto, Rembrandt, and Jackson Pollock, as well as the works of Beuys and Raynaud, without being able to establish a "ranking."

Today, the economic conditions of art production have become central. This is a new phenomenon. Art is no longer a religious or ideological representation, just as it is no longer the sole province of a cultured elite who bestows seals of quality based on their own taste. It is dependent on market laws, like any other product of human activity.

It is subject to the laws of marketing, the effects of which are evident: works found in contemporary art museums have primarily passed through major galleries and have already received, in an economically measurable way, the market's favor. This is not an indicator of recognized artistic quality, but rather an indicator of economic value. Are these two values intrinsically linked? This does not seem obvious, considering that marketing has long been capable of selling products as long as they exist in sufficient quantities to meet potential demand and the promotional campaign is targeted and well-constructed.

Is the artist’s role limited to manufacturing products that are no longer distinguishable from other products of human activity? I dare to answer in the negative. The artist must produce works—responding to their ideas, their feelings, their craftsmanship, and their necessity for expression and communication.

The artist must remain vigilant regarding the "artistic" quality of their work and, furthermore, be mindful of the traps of an economic value acquired too quickly. One must prioritize what is inherent to art—that which we recognize as such, individually and collectively, without being able to define it. To produce works, to escape the rules of the market, to use them, to be conscious of them... Did you say resistance?

DIDIER LEGRAND