Kant's Aesthetics in Western Modernity

Immanuel Kant's Aesthetics

• Aesthetics in Western modernity is related to freedom.
• The aesthetic experience:
  • Must be sensorial (appreciated through our senses)
  • Not bound by concept or need (involves no interest or function)
  • Has a moment of surprise and wonder
• The purpose of art is to create a sense of freedom, unbound by need or function.
• Entertainment follows a formula, whereas art brings something new and unexpected, creating a sense of surprise.

Victor Shklovski and Herbert Marcuse

• Victor Shklovski:
  • Art creates the unfamiliar, making the ordinary seem new and fresh.
  • Examples: Tolstoy's "Kholstomer" where a horse narrates, making private property seem unfamiliar.
• Herbert Marcuse:
  • Art is a form of reality that opposes conventional norms and values.
  • Art's function is to liberate and provide a break from the routine of daily life.

The Power of Art and Aesthetics

• The aesthetic experience can be a catalyst for social innovation and change.
• Art can bring about social impact by:
  • Fostering appreciation and respect for difference
  • Encouraging social connection and communication
  • Creating a sense of freedom and empowerment
• Examples of art-induced social change:
  • Antanas Mockus, former Mayor of Bogota, used artistic interventions to improve civic education and behavior.

Antanas Mockus and Artistic Interventions

• Antanas Mockus, former Mayor of Bogota, used artistic interventions to bring about social change in the city.
• Examples of his initiatives:
  • Mimes to control traffic and promote civic education
  • Placing stars or crosses to mark accident-prone areas
  • Creating the "Order of the Zebra" to incentivize good driving habits
  • Distributing "Thumbs up" and "Thumbs down" cards to regulate traffic behavior
  • Organizing a city-wide performance therapy against domestic aggressions
  • Creating a "Women's Night Out" initiative to reduce murders and promote civic engagement### Urban Innovation and Art

Antonio Moreno (Bogota, Colombia, 1964)

• Served as Mayor of Bogota from 1995-2003
• Implemented innovative measures to reduce crime and improve quality of life, including "cultura ciudadana" (civic culture) approach
• Achievements:
  • 67% decline in homicides
  • 51% decline in traffic deaths

Edi Rama (Tirana, Albania, 1964)

• Served as Mayor of Tirana from 2000-2011 and as Prime Minister of Albania from 2013-present
• Used art to solve social problems, including:
  • Demolishing illegal buildings
  • Planting trees and bushes
  • Colorful transformations of public spaces
• Results:
  • Improved mood and attitude of population
  • Reduced crime
  • Increased public participation and responsibility

Culture and Innovation in the UAE

• The UAE recognizes the potential of art and culture to transform and improve society
• Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative aims to use art as a tool for social innovation and transformation
• Examples of cultural initiatives:
  • Emirates Festival of Literature
  • Jameel Arts Center
  • Museums on Saadiyat Island
  • International events

Jose Antonio Abreu (Venezuela, 1939-2018)

• Founder of El Sistema, a youth orchestra program
• Believed music could be an agent of social development, promoting values like solidarity and harmony
• El Sistema:
  • Reached 700,000 children by 2015
  • Produced renowned musicians, including Gustavo Dudamel and Edicson Ruiz
  • Inspired programs in 54 countries worldwide

Augosto Boal (Brazil, 1931-2009)

• Criticized conventional theatre as restrictive and unable to empower the public
• Developed the "Theatre of the Oppressed" and Forum Theatre, which:
  • Allows the public to take the stage and become "spect-actors"
  • Encourages improvisation and creative solutions to social problems
  • Has been used worldwide, including in marginalized communities

Other Examples of Art for Social Innovation

• Banksy's graffiti art raises awareness about contemporary issues
• Johnny Miller's photography raises awareness about inequality in South Africa