Joseph Beuys: social production in a contemporary and technological art context.

Can we produce social networks throw a contemporary artwork? And where are the limits for this kind of art productions?


Abstract:
This paper intent to analyze two of the most important works from the German artist Joseph Beuys, “I Like America and America likes me”, 1974; and “7000 oaks”, 1982 at Documenta VII Kassel, in a contemporary and technological context.
Throw the perspective of social environment and social networks the paper research how the contemporary art could be related to social issues? And how the technological environment can support the ‘art of engagement’ into the art history thinking art and science as tool?
Using the concept of ‘social sculpture’, created by Beuys, the idea of real social changing and art productions with digital technologies is the aim of this paper, translating these subjects into new media artworks and different art experiments.
The methods of the research is based in the production from the sixties/seventies and how the vanguard artists is using the social issues to create networks related to concept social body.
Creating a narrative with the Beuys’ works and what is produced today in an ecological, social and artistically environment the paper intent to answers contemporary issues and to introduce aspects of how the contemporary art is going to develop in the next century?
The paper compare the scientist research in an art production using references from articles and books and contemporary contents resourced in online art magazine and specialized websites.

Keywords: Joseph Beuys; technological and contemporary art; social sculpture; art of engagement, art and science.

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