Compassion: a paradox in art and society

Abstract

'Compassion, A Paradox in Art and Society', is developed in close collaboration with artist Rini Hurkmans, initiator of the conceptual art work 'the Flag of Compassion'. The book aims to show what space an artwork can occupy in the public domain, and in a network of philosophical notions, art theory, societal institutions, collective identity formation and individual experience. Through its hybrid character it wants to form a case study for a new form of art analysis. Simultaneously, it deals with the social effectivity of art and questions how art nowadays can be relevant on a social and political level.

Contents

Reconsider, reformulate, reinvent : a dialogue about life, art and politics / Pascal Gielen & Rini Hurkmans -- Impossible art : some notes on Flag of compassion / Nick Aikens -- Compassion : do we take care of ourselves? / Judith Westerveld -- You can't stage a coup against compassion / Leonhard de Paepe -- The world as it ought to be : Susan Neiman interviewed on morality and art / Jesse Ahlers & Judith Westerveld -- Until the light suddenly dawns : symbols, compassion, and the art of reading others / Sarah van Binsbergen -- Mobile meaning / Jeroen Boomgaard.