Adorno's Aesthetic Theory and the question of the social effectiveness of art

Abstract

The article pursues the question of how to think about the social effectiveness of art from Adorno’s perspective. Its central objective is to refuse interpretations of Adorno's work according to which the negativity of art results in its lack of effectiveness. In contrast, with Adorno I defend an understanding of the effectiveness of art that is based on the specific mimetic communication it establishes. Thus, each work of art brings to light a specific perspective that certain social contexts (practices, perceptions, intersubjective relations etc.) could also be different. Therefore, art does not lead to a concrete change in society, but expands perspectives within society, so that the possibilities of a different praxis become visible. In this way, art works against social stiffness and reveals itself as a productive form of critical praxis.