Video Essay Explores Joseph Beuys as Shaman of Contemporary Art
A video by Alberto Mattia Martini presents Joseph Beuys as a shamanic figure who redefined the artist as an anthropological agent. Beuys pioneered engagement with economic, environmental, humanitarian, political, and cultural issues, believing these must be communicated to the public. He saw art not merely as creating objects but as a fluid force that, through performance and public debate, stimulates human creativity. Central to his practice was environmental awareness, aiming to restore harmony between humanity and nature while seeking alternatives to capitalism and consumerism. Beuys advocated for developing real models of social organization where human faculties can fully flourish. The video is part of the Art One Shot series on YouTube, produced by Artribune. Alberto Mattia Martini, an art critic and curator who teaches art history and methodology for handling artworks, authored the piece.
Key facts
- Joseph Beuys is described as a shaman of contemporary art.
- Beuys conceived the artist as an anthropological figure.
- He was an active precursor in economic, environmental, humanitarian, political, and cultural issues.
- Beuys believed art should be transmitted to people through performance and debate.
- He emphasized environmentalism to restore the lost harmony between man and nature.
- Beuys sought alternatives to capitalism and consumerism.
- He proposed developing real models for a different social order.
- The video is by Alberto Mattia Martini for Artribune's Art One Shot series.
Entities
Artists
- Joseph Beuys
- Alberto Mattia Martini
Institutions
- Artribune