Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art
This paper explores the aesthetic and ethical implications of touch in contemporary art, challenging the Kantian notion of aesthetic distance, which has long privileged vision and hearing as the primary senses for experiencing art. Through the analysis of selected works of art, the paper argues that...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | ces |
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University of Presov, Faculty of Arts
2025-07-01
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| Series: | ESPES |
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| Online Access: | https://espes.ff.unipo.sk/index.php/ESPES/article/view/375 |
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| _version_ | 1850053571794436096 |
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| author | Barbora Řebíková |
| author_facet | Barbora Řebíková |
| author_sort | Barbora Řebíková |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the aesthetic and ethical implications of touch in contemporary art, challenging the Kantian notion of aesthetic distance, which has long privileged vision and hearing as the primary senses for experiencing art. Through the analysis of selected works of art, the paper argues that participatory and haptic art redefines aesthetic experience by engaging the body directly, transforming the viewer from a passive observer into an active participant. This shift not only expands the boundaries of aesthetic theory but also introduces new ethical challenges concerning bodily proximity, consent, and participant agency. Drawing on the concept of informed consent from medical ethics, the paper examines whether similar ethical guidelines—focusing on disclosure, comprehension, voluntariness, competence, and the right to withdraw—should be applied to participatory art. The paper concludes that while informed consent could provide a useful ethical framework, it also raises tensions between protecting participants and preserving artistic freedom, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to the ethics of contemporary art. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ba6cb159231848d0a8a16172bc38d82e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1339-1119 |
| language | ces |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | University of Presov, Faculty of Arts |
| record_format | Article |
| series | ESPES |
| spelling | doaj-art-ba6cb159231848d0a8a16172bc38d82e2025-08-20T02:52:30ZcesUniversity of Presov, Faculty of ArtsESPES1339-11192025-07-01141289Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in ArtBarbora Řebíková0Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Jan Evangelista Purkyne UniversityThis paper explores the aesthetic and ethical implications of touch in contemporary art, challenging the Kantian notion of aesthetic distance, which has long privileged vision and hearing as the primary senses for experiencing art. Through the analysis of selected works of art, the paper argues that participatory and haptic art redefines aesthetic experience by engaging the body directly, transforming the viewer from a passive observer into an active participant. This shift not only expands the boundaries of aesthetic theory but also introduces new ethical challenges concerning bodily proximity, consent, and participant agency. Drawing on the concept of informed consent from medical ethics, the paper examines whether similar ethical guidelines—focusing on disclosure, comprehension, voluntariness, competence, and the right to withdraw—should be applied to participatory art. The paper concludes that while informed consent could provide a useful ethical framework, it also raises tensions between protecting participants and preserving artistic freedom, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to the ethics of contemporary art.https://espes.ff.unipo.sk/index.php/ESPES/article/view/375aesthetic distance, participatory art, informed consent |
| spellingShingle | Barbora Řebíková Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art ESPES aesthetic distance, participatory art, informed consent |
| title | Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art |
| title_full | Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art |
| title_short | Beyond Distance: The Aesthetic and Ethical Impact of Touch in Art |
| title_sort | beyond distance the aesthetic and ethical impact of touch in art |
| topic | aesthetic distance, participatory art, informed consent |
| url | https://espes.ff.unipo.sk/index.php/ESPES/article/view/375 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT barborarebikova beyonddistancetheaestheticandethicalimpactoftouchinart |