Sculptor or engineer? The idea of the "total work of art" as a form of freedom of mind in the face of danger. Comparative analysis of selected examples

Abstract

In times of global unrest and unfolding contemporary dramas, art can act as a guardian of those areas of freedom that allow us to function in spite of everything. Today's art faces a much more difficult task than satisfying the aesthetic sensations of its audience. Since World War I, which forever changed the way we think about the world and our sense of security, art has been subject to constant revolutions and transformations, as the fate of humanity has changed rapidly. Therefore, as a consequence of this evolution, a new definition of art emerged, the peculiarity of which turned out to be an inner strong experience. Art whose task is no longer expression, but impression in the sense of "a strong impact on the viewer" has become a characteristic sign of our time. This definition is realized in the art of contemporary artists, involving the viewer in the non-verbal thought process, allowing them to actively complete what is missing from the message. The article discusses the idea of the "total work of art" based on selected examples from the work of multimedia artists using the sensuality of space, perception and an active attitude of the viewer. These are artists who do not allow the freedom of self-determination in themselves to be suppressed and take the viewer out of their comfort zone with the help of strong sensory stimuli triggering their imagination and making them realize the sense of freedom.