A Study of the Significance of the Community-Specific Concept

From the Perspective of the Relationship Between Art and Place

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the theoretical background of Community-Based Art Education that focuses on the community in contemporary art. The technical term community-specific, which is used in “One Place After Another” written by Miwon Kwon, is a key concept explored in this study. The term “site-specific”, which is often employed to criticize public art, refers to the visual relationship between works of art and their surroundings. In contrast, “community-specific” art practices are based on conversations with participants. Opening a creative space is an effective method to realize this concept, which involves an extension of daily life. People who have similar interests gather in such places and construct a social network. Accordingly, local communities are reconstructed, and an alternative community is established. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the significance of the complex methodology employed to establish a creative community that includes both the artist who initiates place-making, and the networking that is disseminated from that place.