Participatory Art

I do not usually post more than once a day, but this is too enticing of a topic to pass by...

San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art is embracing a model of participatory art. I find this very intriguing, others may not. But for others interested in the arts world (and what it means to make art based in meaning and truth) out there, check it out:

http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=25230

some notable quotes from the article:

"The exhibition proposes that participatory art is generally based on a notion of indeterminacy—an openness to chance or change, as introduced by John Cage in the early 1950s—and refers to projects that, while initiated by individual artists, can be realized only through the contribution of others. This artistic approach entices the public to join in; questions the conventional divide between artists and their audience; and challenges assumptions about the symbolic value of art, as well as the traditional role of the museum as a container for objects rather than a site for social engagement or art production. Participatory art typically synthesizes a variety of artistic media, emphasizes process over object, and champions the idea of collective authorship."

"The idea of participation in art today, however, is perhaps most radically conceived as an invitation to the viewer to not only contribute to but actually create the work, emphasizing artmaking as public dialogue."

...there are things about this approach that I agree with, and others that I don't. Particularly, I would question the portion that I bolded. However, I think a dialogue about this subject is helpful. The article touches on some compelling ideas, such as artists "anticipating social exchanges." Meanwhile, I am too tired to post some thoughts right now.