The great strength of art

Severed horse's head, a fish in a blender and excrement in a box. Perhaps, many associate the art with something provocative and confusing. However, according to Sofie Myschetzky, instructor for the cultural project of Copenhagen Institute for Futures, the role of art in society is changing. Art is no longer provokes, it brings people together and helps them to reach an understanding.

 

Myschetzky  gives a few examples of artists who went to the Danish heartland - often with a lot of social problems - and worked with local residents over some cultural project.

- I notice a new trend - art in public space. It goes beyond the established social and cultural institutions and affects residents of an area. Thus, the work mainly involved those people or parties that have united around the project - says Myschetzky.

So, in Volsmose (Fyn), lighting designer Astrid Krogh has created a pattern for the local house of culture. She visited the homes of many local residents, and took their samples of fabrics, from which they were made rugs and blankets. This was the starting point for work on the ornament. Thus Krogh gave residents the opportunity to participate in creating works of art. Now involved in the project people will feel their contribution to the culture and improvement of image culture house.

As another example Myschetzky leads a group of "Set up tolerens" who are seriously working with teenagers in the park Gellerupa in Aarhus. The guys take the headlines with bad news and change them on the animal spirits that are then used to light the newspaper. Youngsters learn to turn a negative into a positive.

Art, which aims to engage in work and strengthen those who are rotated in the field of art, has certain similarities to social work.

- When art is placed in a public space, it acquires some social features. And the thing is, in my opinion, that the artist creates a space where those who are engaged in a project may generate interest for themselves, and also become part of the project while working on it. Then we can say that art has a social impact. It is about equal participation, solidarity, about how to be active, to listen and contribute to the common cause - says Myschetzky.

The advantage of art in the creation process which involved ordinary people clearly see the children and adults who participate in such projects. According to Myschetzky here partly refers to various forms of activities for children, as well as expanding their knowledge and skills. In this case, children have the opportunity to experience first hand what success and collaboration, as well as learn about new ways to express themselves. All of this can eventually lead to a better understanding of the difference in people's views.

According to Myschetzky, the process of creating works of art there is a collision of several points of view. Listening to the views of others, the person becomes more open and curious. He is more inclined to respect a different view. Therefore, taking part in projects of this kind, people scratching their own prejudices and tolerant perceive someone else's opinion.

Translated from Danish by Jacob Asmussen

 

Original text, photo: DR.dk