“Project for the Experimental Art Series, Rosario, 1968” and
“I am searching for a Field Character”
We are all living in a world of art with everyone as artists – we just know it yet. These two artists would have us believe that to understand our role as artists – all of us, every one – would allow some grand unification of humanity and usher in the Age of Aquarius. All we have to do is identify our innate creative powers and express them and utopia will well up from the overwrought minions of society. So why not lock all of us in little rooms until we discover these fundamental truths and we’ll let ourselves out.
I find the views expressed in these 2 articles to be both naïve and distinctly dangerous. In their own heads, under their own ideologies and influences, things may seem oh so simple. In Beuys’ case, his idealism is both endearing and tragic but Carnevale’s just sets us up to be continued victims of violence that we continue to perpetuate ourselves. I fail to see any distinction between Carnevale’s “artistic” act and the Stanford Prison Experiment. Nor do I feel that Carnevale is doing much more than Mengele did in service to the Third Reich – another well known “progressive” movement. The intent may seem “artistic” in comparison to previously denounced social experiments, but that doesn’t lead people anywhere but Hell.
