This document discusses the concept of socially engaged art and examines the model put forth by Jurgen Habermas. It explores how Habermas views communicative action as rational communication for understanding, in contrast to instrumental action which is self-interested. The document also references Antonio Gramsci's influence on challenging avant-garde logic and how Habermas and Giddens both emphasize the importance of reflection and deliberation.

1. Further adventures of the Avant Garde “ Danger, Will Robinson, Danger.”

2. In previous lectures we have established that; 1. The original function of the modern avant garde changed over the course of the twentieth century. 2. The intellectual and physical conditions of late modern culture have created a new context for a socially engaged practice. This lecture will examine a recent model for a socially engaged practice, that of Jurgen Habermas. Habermas, J. "Modernity: An Unfinished Project." in; Simon-Ingram, J. Critical Theory:The essential readings (1992) Paragon House

5. Antonio Gramsci was the first person to challenge the modernist logic of transgressive avant gardism.

7. What is an intellectual? An intellectual is anyone who has the opportunity to help create cultural praxis . Praxis is the practically expressed understanding of the self as a union between theory and practice. Praxis is in a constant state of flux as it attempts to create and resist hegemony.

8. We can see that there are links between Gramsci’s ideas of praxis and Giddens’ ideas of reflexivity. For Giddens, reflexivity begins with the availability of individuals and institutions to reflect upon their own circumstances. http://www.theory.org.uk/giddens.htm offers an accessible Discussion on Giddens and his work.

9. FEATURED LEGO SET - PART OF THE POPULAR THEORY.ORG.UK LEGO RANGE Anthony Giddens in his Study LEGO 5230 Anthony Giddens in his Study. Ages 16-35. 128 pieces. Giddens composes new works, reads books and discusses ideas in his office at the London School of Economics. The set includes one Anthony Giddens figure and two students.

10. Jurgen Habermas

11. Like Gramsci, Habermas privileges the role of reason. It is this promotion of reason as a universal tool for human communication that separates him from his critics who argue that reason is a hopelessly utopian idea and has manifestly failed in providing a satisfactory cultural environment for humankind.

12. Wikipedia as communicative action. And Habermas might argue that it isn’t. The notion of a “public sphere” is undermined by a narcissistic culture.

13. The formation of Wikipedia was the act of Jimmy Wales, who wished to create a free encyclopedia on the internet using free software.

14. Started in 2000, Wikipedia now has 22 million entries in 200 languages.

15. “ Through our work, every single person on the planet will have easy low cost access to free knowledge to empower them to do whatever it is that they want to do.” http://blog.jimmywales.com/