Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Ηθική Φιλοσοφία, Δίκαιο και Ευζωία των ΖώωνLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Supervisors info:
Γεώργιος Αραμπατζής, Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Καθηγητής), ΕΚΠΑ Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία» Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ
Ευάγγελος Πρωτοπαπαδάκης, Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής),
ΕΚΠΑ Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο,
Ευζωία» Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ
Μιχαήλ Μαντζανάς, Μέλος ΔΕΠ (Καθηγητής), Ανώτατη Εκκλησιαστική
Ακαδημία, Διδάσκων ΔΠΜΣ «Ζώα: Ηθική, Δίκαιο, Ευζωία» Τμήματος
Φιλοσοφίας ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Τα ζώα στο έργο του Joseph Beuys
Translated title:
The animals in Joseph Beuys's work
Summary:
The purpose of this dissertation is to present what it’s called ‘the other animals’ in the work of Joseph Beuys. Beuys is considered one of the most important and productive, although controversial but influential, artists of the second half of the 20th century. Both his works and his personal narrative as well as his attitude towards life, are considered of particular importance. Beuys believed that the artists’ role in the society needs to be a central one and thus he was looking into the truth in all fundamental characteristics of humans, nature and, in what Berger refers to as “the first cycle around the human”, which means ‘other animals’.
The first part this dissertation reflects the socio-political context as well as the intellectual and philosophical developments, which contributed to the evolution and the redefinition of both the relationship and place of the ‘other animals’ in human’s life. Additionally, the first part attempts, to the extent possible, the sketching of Beuys multifaceted personality; he didn’t hesitate to retell and re-engrave even his own life. Beuys stood against the social, academic and political beliefs of his era by opening new pioneering ways of expression, communication and life.
The second part presents the evolution of the relationship over time between humans and ‘other animals’. Furthermore, the most important visual works of Joseph Beuys are presented and analysed, focusing on those that involved, apart from the human being, in an either figurative or literal way, the ‘other animals’. At the same time, it is attempted an analysis of his indicative works in order to understand the collective work of the teacher, philosopher and artist, who paved the way for the redefinition and reapproaching of ‘the other’ within the visual works as well as within the context of the human society. This dissertation also approaches the influence that Beuys’s stance of life had on the awakening of the western society in relation to nature, humans and animals; and the subsequent development of a new holistic and inclusive life model. It’s of particular interest that this dissertation was written during the celebration, throughout Europe, of the completion of 100 years since Beuys death in 2021.
The last part of the dissertation, including its conclusions and an additional appendix, facilitate the reader in finding information as well as historical facts in relation to Beuys life and works.
Main subject category:
Philosophy - Psychology
Keywords:
Joseph Beuys, animals, postmodernism, environment, hare, deer, swan, coyote
