Arte e Identitarismo: limites do a(r)tivismo no capitalismo tardio

Abstract

Considering art as a result of human historical development with the potential to generate social and cultural impacts, amplifying historically silenced voices is a powerful act. However, within an artistic system subjected to capitalist interests, the following contradiction arises: highlighting some individuals does not guarantee significant changes for an entire group. This study aims to investigate how artistic activism, or artivism, has been co-opted by the neoliberal agenda, especially through the phenomenon of identitarianism, which affects art and politics. Reflecting on the production of contemporary art in the current artistic circuit involves an increasingly relevant issue: the identity of the artist. Museums and influential events, such as biennials, have given increasing visibility to works by minorities, raising a crucial question: to what extent do art and politics intertwine to transform reality? Just as neoliberalism influences art, it also shapes the educational system, which adapts its discourses to its logic. Thinkers such as Mark Fisher (2022) and Santos (2020) describe the influence of neoliberal economic policies on art and education. Therefore, both art and the education system face transformations in late capitalism, demanding new ways of rebuilding themselves in search of greater autonomy and freedom.