Participatory Art to Enhance Community Engagement and Social Change

Abstract

This research deals with the emerging contemporary trend of participatory art as a type of social communication between art and audiences and the beginning of its relationship between visual arts and the audience. The research deals with the history of participatory art and its relationship to the concept of handicrafts at the beginning of primitive arts. It then compares the concepts of craft and art and associates participatory art as an integrated part of life. It is represented in the music and dance, especially in the culture of primitive people. The research then addresses the impact of participatory art on capitalism, which turned works of art into consumer goods. The research defines participatory art in its contemporary sense as a type of art that invites the audience to actively participate in the production of the artwork or its completion with the artist, redefining the relationship between the artist and the viewer – whose role has always been negative while interacting with the artwork. Therefore, the research problem focuses on how positive behavior can be promoted in society through the audience's participation in the artistic experience. The research explains the importance of participatory art in contemporary art and how it can contribute to building the identity of individuals and promoting positive social behavior in society. The research uses a historical and descriptive approach to contemporary participatory artworks embodying this interaction to clarify the interactive relationship between the audience and art. Then, it discusses the aesthetics of this human interaction with art. Finally, the research addresses several classifications of various participatory art practices and types of art related to society. It can be embedded under the umbrella of participatory art, such as that presented by artists, architects, and designers, to bring about systematic social, economic, and environmental change and some contemporary participatory artworks. The research concludes that participatory artworks make the audience an integral part of the artwork, making it a positive factor in promoting positive behavior among members of society.