Il ruolo dell'arte nella società post moderna. Sentimenti identitari, coesione sociale e spirito critico.

Aware of being part of an increasingly individualistic society where social cohesion and the struggle for shared ideals now seem to be a thing of the past, we see a possible cure for this spiritual squalor in contemporary art as a means of communication to create new symbolic paths which are understood and shared. The research focuses on the analysis of not only those artistic projects whose audience is art experts and the art market but on projects that target a wider audience. Works with a strong communicative purpose which, through the artist’s direction, intend to transmit a symbolic and participated meaning within the reality in which they come to life. The research essentially has the following objectives: in-depth analysis of the artist’s role in post-modern society in the light of the changes that this entails; understanding the direction in which art is evolving and seeing if its conception aimed at the sole purpose of exhibitions and museums can still exist. The study was carried out mainly through an in-depth and targeted bibliographic study; the texts used were chosen according to a precise and multi-disciplinary method bearing in mind economic, managerial, artistic, social and psychological aspects. A number of Italian cases considered useful for understanding the theoretical part of the research are also presented and analyzed. During the preparation of the research work it was not considered important to focus our study on the current changes to artistic practices. Instead, we want to demonstrate how contemporary art is to all purposes a highly effective means of communication for creating shared feelings of identity and for increasing the level of social cohesion above all in communities where the artistic projects have a high level of visibility and credibility and are developed respecting precise parameters. We are also sure, today more than ever, that the artist has to take back a precise social role, a role which is more credible in the eyes of the public which must see in him a means to understanding society. Indeed, even if there can no longer be and there is no longer any sense in having a nostalgic vision of the artist since each one is called on to live their own times, speak to a contemporary public and do this with the means available, art must however be seen as a vocation just like a religion because, if practiced correctly, it holds and can hold an important and delicate role in society. Aware that the results obtained cannot be measured in absolute terms, we are however convinced that a good artistic production able to gain ground also outside the institutional places of art and to favor open and positive dialogue between artists, institutions and communities is a sign of an active and lively society, driver of a dynamic community able to reflect on itself.