This is an increasingly difficult task primarily due to the technological innovations of the past few decades, which are disconnecting and desensitizing individuals en mass; Skewing the boundary between acceptable and taboo, a constant blur, rushing from the current, seemingly old way of doing things, to the futuristic environment that's keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next big thing.
Many rituals that were cherished in the past as natural human behaviors, activities seemingly necessary for both individual and communal development have slipped through the cracks.
This has resulted in what feels to me to be a the loss of community value, especially in developed and heavily populated areas. Community doesn't have the tricks necessary to keep up with the hum of mother culture.
The most devastating effect this has had on activist art is in layering apathy on the populous of metropolitan areas.
It's not so much that the impoverished don't want art done for, or about them "Bringing about some transformation in the condition of individuals who are presumed to be in need". It's just getting more and more difficult to reach out to them, or anyone for that matter.
Not impossible, though. Nothing's impossible.
The reading reminded me of an artist, one Joseph Beuys, who is an inspiration to me. Hopefully you'll enjoy his words, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo6cHBrPGGo
-Jacob Friedheim
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