The Murmuring of the Artistic Multitude

In The Murmuring of the Artistic Multitude art sociologist Pascal Gielen defends the hypothesis that the globalized art scene is an ideal production entity for economic exploitation. These days the work ethic of the art world with its ever-present young dynamic, flexible working hours, thematic approach, short-term contracts or lack of contracts and its unlimited, energetic freedom is capitalized withing the cultural industry and has been converted into a standard production model.

In the glow of the creative cities and the creative industry governments embrace this post-Henry Ford work model and seamlessly link it to the globally dominant neo liberal market economy. | more
In The Murmuring an attempt is also being made to provide alternatives. Gielen is searching for the ingredients that the art world needs to preserve its own dynamic and freedom. His quest leads to places of intimacy and 'slowability' in the hectic global flow of artistic events and artistically-minded trends. This publication is part of the Fontys-series 'Arts in Society'.

Pascal Gielen is a sociologist of art who teaches at the Groningen University. He has also the research chair ‘Arts in Society’ at the Fontys College for the Arts in Tilburg. Gielen wrote several books on the visual arts, contemporary dance, cultural heritage and cultural politics.