Is the Art of Social Practice Changing the World?
Is the Art of Social Practice Changing the World?
By Amiti Sharma
Social practice – a term that has gained significant recognition within the last year – has emerged as the latest trend within the industry that has the potential to revolutionize modern art. This method is associated with the creation of art based on prominent social issues within the United States in the hopes of raising awareness of the conflict through the use of independent, innovative skill while promoting positive social change. Combining characteristics of informative and explanatory demonstration with those of artistic talent and vision, these projects help unite communities and encourage citizens to become more involved.
Texas artist Mel Chin has created a program entitled Operation Paydirt/Fundred Dollar Bill Project – an organization that identifies the problem of lead-contaminated soil. Witnesses have reported that the art had elicited an astounding response from various art persona, and had unexpectedly influenced the minds of several young children attending local schools within the area. Reports claim that the art is not only successful in bringing public attention to the issue at hand, but it has also managed to increase productivity, creativity, and inspiration among student and adult communities. The continually positive feedback generated from the new practice has furthermore inspired many educational facilities and institutions to incorporate social practice principals into their coursework.
Those who are passionate about a certain worldly problem are inspired to physically put something together (a sculpture, a model, street art) to articulate their stance on a certain topic. Furthermore, the increasing desire people feel to physically put something together with their hands is also diminishing the use of advanced technology, electronics and social media that are commonly referred as having “corrupted” our and future generations. Nato Thompson, chief curator of Creative Times has stated, “Doesn’t any kind of human interaction that isn’t on the Internet just feel very special?” Many are overjoyed with the fact that social practice is having such a positive influence on today’s society and there is much hope for the future. Social practiced artist Caledonia Dance Curry, nickname “Swoon,” states that the objective of her artwork pertains to “How do I make something that engages my city—that creates art where people don’t expect to find to it? And how can we change what’s valued and how we value it?’ The technique of social practice has been exceedingly beneficial to artists around the globe, and it hold very promising modifications for the future.
