2019 Volume 18 Pages 138-148
In this paper we examine the ways in which the relationship between art and local society may be improved, by referring to Georg Simmel’s three ideas, “the Handle“, “Sociability” and “the Stranger”.
The relations between artist-group and local community in the Art Project have the characteristic that “the one uses the other as the means for both its own and their mutual development”. So, it is important to consider the method to keep out the “end-mean thought” from the relations.
The first idea comes from Simmel’s essay on “the Handle”. The handle is a part of the pitcher, and sometimes an art object itself, too. If the art works made in an Art Project are useful or attractive for both artists and local residents, such works are satisfactory to everyone. The second idea is Sociability. In the Art Project, artists involve local residents and visitors in producing their art works, and make them enjoyable. Such activities disable the “end-mean thought” (= the relationship where the one uses the other). The third idea is “the stranger”. The curator of the Art Project can mediate between artists and local residents, acting as the “stranger” Simmel has suggested.
In the end, it is highly important for both artists and local society not to emphasize their own success, and to make the activities of the Art Project enjoyable for everyone. If that is done, art and local society will have a good relationship.
