French Revolution and Modern Subjecthood

Restructuring of Subjecthood

• The French Revolution, 1789, transformed the social hierarchy and restructured the concept of “subjecthood”.
• Before the revolution, people were born into a specific rank within a rigid social structure.
• The revolution ushered in liberal democracy, giving citizens inalienable rights, and participation in government.
• The French Revolution, along with the American Revolution, popularized the idea of freedom and equality.
• “Free will” and individual rights became central to the modern conception of the individual.

Art and the Modern Subject

• In the context of liberal democracy and capitalism, individuals have the right to property and contract.
• This concept applies to artists who have full authority over their work, free from the constraints of the church or monarchy.
• The individual artist is seen as a "genius" whose creative work is valued and circulated in the free market.

Symbol Transformation

• The French Revolution saw the material transformation of symbols of power.
• The headless statue of Louis XV was melted down to create cannons, highlighting the shift from monarchy to a democratic republic.
• The Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, was demolished, becoming an emblem of freedom.

Iconoclasm and Vandalism

• Iconoclasm is the destruction of religious images or symbols.
• Vandalism is the destruction of property.
• The French Revolution saw widespread iconoclasm, with teams of sculptors removing symbols of the monarchy and religion from public spaces.

Signature

• In the modern context, the signature becomes a mark of authorship that conveys a sense of identity and authenticity.
• Signatures are a form of self-expression and reflect the artist's free will and artistic vision.
• The signature also contributes to the commercial value of artwork.

Tag: Street Art and Graffiti

• The “Tag” is a signature in the context of graffiti, a signature with an image that deface (public) property.
• It signifies a challenge to traditional notions of art and ownership, representing a form of grassroots street art.

Aesthetics: Theory of Art

• Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy concerned with beauty and the principles of taste.
• The term "aesthetics" was coined by Alexander Baumgarten in 1735.
• Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, argued that aesthetic taste is a pure, disinterested pleasure in contemplating an object.
• Taste is not a natural faculty but a product of culture, reflecting social classes and economic differences.
• The concept of “genius” is central to aesthetics, where artists are considered to be unique and exceptional individuals.

Comparison: Antiquity vs. Modernity

• In antiquity, beauty was associated with moral goodness, and the concept of genius was already present.
• In modernity, beauty has become a more autonomous quality, separated from moral considerations.
• Modern artists are seen as autonomous individuals with free will, freed from traditional constraints, which informs the concept of genius in aesthetic theory.

Explore how the French Revolution of 1789 transformed social structures and influenced the concept of individual rights and subjecthood. This quiz delves into the implications for artists and the emergence of liberal democracy, highlighting the transition from rigid hierarchies to freedom and equality. Test your understanding of how these historical changes shaped modern perspectives on individualism.