This document provides an introduction to relational aesthetics, an artistic movement focused on human interactions and social contexts rather than private spaces. It discusses Nicolas Bourriaud's theories on relational aesthetics, including his view that 1990s art has been misunderstood due to a lack of theoretical perspective. The document lists some key ideas from Bourriaud's work and provides examples of artworks by several artists that exemplify relational aesthetics, focusing on how the works engage audiences in social interactions and experiences.

1. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
RELATIONAL AESTHETICS
AN ESSAY BY NICOLAS BOURRIAUD
JANUARY 14th 2013
1
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

2. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
THE COURSE ON THE WEB
Instructions to follow the course:
-Blog http://art-as-playground.blogspot.it/
Facebook page: Course of site specific public
art Politecnico di Milano- Campus Piacenza
#publicartpiacenza
I send you a reading in pdf format.
This is my adress: ornellacostanzopolipc@gmail.com
2
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

3. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
INTRODUCTION: a statement
A set of artistic practices which take as their theoretical and
practical point of departure the whole of human relations and
their social context, rather than an independent and private
space.
3
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

4. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
A short interview to Nicolas Bourriaud by the Tate speaking
about altermodernity and relational aesthetics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqHMILrKpDY
4
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

5. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
MOST RELEVANT PASSAGES FROM BOURRIAUD’S THEORIES
- defense of the misunderstanding of most 90's contemporay
art because of the lack of a theorical thinking;
- originality and importance of the artworks referred to the
voids left by previous generations in terms of art and culture;
- role of the critics as the interpreter of today’s artistic
environment;
- effort to find answers to overcome the cathedral of
instruments built during 1960’s
5
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

6. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA, UNTITLED (FREE)1992 , 303 GALLERY NEW YORK
6
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

7. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
VANESSA BEECROFT, VB08 (RED WIG GIRL) 1999
7
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

8. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
MAURIZIO CATTELAN, IL BELPAESE 1999
8
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

9. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
BRINCH AND JACOBSEN, BURN OUT 1994
9
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

10. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
CHRISTINE HILL, VOLKSBOUTIQUE, 1996-97
10
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society

11. Course of Site Specific Public Art
Lesson #5
CARSTEN HOLLER, Experience
11
Politecnico di Milano (Campus di Piacenza) School of Architecture and Society