Art & Audience

When artists make art about a particular issue (such as war or immigration) what difference are they making? In what way are they helping the situation? Should they try to be a part of the solution and make a practical contribution? Why should art be made about these issues? In what way is the situation being helped?



What is the difference between an artist that is helping a community and a social worker or non-profit organization? At what point is it art? At what point is it social work? Does there need to be a distinction?

What is the unique roll of the artist. . . What can artists contribute that social workers or non-profits aren’t already doing?



How is authorship effected when the audience is involved in creating the work?



When the limits and direction are still created by the artist, is it truly the participant/audience that make up the work? or are the participants given the illusion of control while being in a loose cage created by the artist?



How does this lack of control or orchestration on the part of the artist effect the visual format?



When the work leaves the artist hand and becomes a part of the community is it still art?

How is it art? What makes it art?



What is an appropriate setting for work that is relationally based in which a material object is not produced? Are the established art institutions appropriate? How does a work that is socially focused change when placed in a gallery and a museum? Is it still valuable or interesting in this setting?



Does the recording of the interaction take away from the sincerity and genuine nature of the piece?



What are the reasons that people give away their work to the viewers?  

Why do artists use this strategy? How effective is it?

Should artists be giving things away? Why or why not? What problems/issues does it create when artists give things away?



How do these types of artists survive? Is it wrong to make a living with your art?



What are some of the issues/challenges of making art that involves people?

Appropriateness, in what cases are artists using people?

How does artists gain the trust of people?