Prophets at a Tangent: How Art Shapes Social Imagination

The arts can help us imagine a better future society and economy, but artists have lost their role as gods and prophets due to digital technologies and shifting values. They should work as prophets at a tangent, offering new ways of seeing and thinking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The arts have the potential to envision a better future society and economy, free from deep social divisions and ecological damage. At their finest, the arts offer fresh perspectives and ways of thinking, enabling us to connect with a greater sense of what we could be. However, artists have relinquished their role as gods and prophets, partly due to the impact of digital technologies and the widespread availability of artistic production, and partly due to shifting values. In recent years, few books, films, artworks, or exhibitions have provided us with insights into how our world can address its challenges or improve in the coming decades.

The Element suggests that artists should focus more on being prophets at a tangent rather than predicting a new society. By exploring the edges of our understanding and challenging our assumptions, artists can inspire us to think creatively and explore new possibilities for a better future. This requires a willingness to take risks, experiment with new forms of expression, and engage with diverse communities and perspectives.

In conclusion, the arts have the power to shape our collective imagination and inspire us to envision a better future. However, artists must embrace their role as prophets at a tangent, exploring the boundaries of our understanding and challenging our assumptions. By doing so, they can help us build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous world for generations to come.

ISBN-13: 9781009321655