The Move Towards the Aestheticisation of Contemporary Art

Abstract

The initial concept for my contribution is the growing aestheticisation of everyday life. This process particularly concerns the urban setting, which in contemporary Western societies is becoming hyper-aesthetic and at the same time an aestheticising scenario. However, critics bring attention to the fact that the overabundance of aesthetic irritants leads to an indifference and suppression of other aspects of life. A perceptible part of contemporary art is ascribed to aestheticising processes and affirmative aesthetics is subordinate to conforming to the environment. This concerns primarily what is (quite awkwardly) termed public art. Yet artistic moves are appearing that are critical towards the aestheticisation of everyday life. Wolfgang Welsch labels them non-aestheticising. They again confirm Adorno's comment that “gerade den ästhetisch avancierten Nerven ist das selbstgerecht Ästhetische underträglich geworden.” These measures demand special attention of aestheticians especially at a time when they are attempting to develop further the critical potential of their field.