NGOs, activists, musicians and actors mobilize and cry out in favour of social justice. And as always the esteemed visual artists are barely heard from.

In a world of unprecedented gap between rich and poor, and the darkest political landscape in decades we see massive public response in the streets. Meanwhile we find the esteemed visual artists in exclusive art galleries, caring for the world only when it is in line with the established art world or the funds that support the exhibitions.

Some visual artists do have a critical view on the world order and social injustice. And we do see MoMA exchange Picasso with Somali paintings, while Documenta14 opens in Athens as a symbol of the social and cultural clash between east and west. Clearly these are steps in the right direction, but if art is seen as a tool to change the world, it is far from enough.

The progressive behaviour of the esteemed art world is often wrapped in a veil of exclusivity and elitism, reserved for the ruling class and isolated from ‘ordinary’ people. Usually the art works can only be found in fancy exhibition sites and the pieces are woven into a range of artsy words that are only understood by high society’s intellectuals. ‘Real’ art is made for ‘art’s sake’ and has no opinion and no direct purpose. It can be interpreted any way you want, as long as the right fancy words are used. To really understand art today one has to have the right education and know the right vocabulary. In this way the esteemed art excludes ordinary people, thus adding to the increased populist tendencies that have led to Trump.

The established art world as a whole has locked itself in an ivory tower dazed by fine wines, expensive suits and visits by the societal elite which provide the funding. While the art world might comment on migration, social injustice etc. it almost never leaves the gallery facades and take a real stand to change the world. The significance of visual art for ordinary people, ‘social rebellion’ and societal development as a whole is insignificant – or very small at best.

There are progressivity and social artists within the esteemed art world. But artists that actually leave the art institutions and bring their art to street, or take a real part in the public outcry, are despised and excluded by the art elite and the intellectual upper class. With a few bright exceptions, like Banksy.

An art piece can say more than a thousand words and art could be an important element in the social struggles around the world. Therefore we need to bring back and support public and social art.

We need more visual art in the protests, giant statues in front of the White House and innovative artists that use their art to show new angles on reality and prevent populism. Art can make difficult discussions comprehensible to the public, but this will never happen with the present reactionary attitude.

Let it be clear that the art institutions and the esteemed artists play an important and needed role in the art world. The problem is that esteemed art almost never leave the art institutions and get down to street level.

Best Regards
Jens Galschiøt – Artist, and chair in the NGO ‘Art In Defence Of Humanism’ (AIDOH)