The Territory


Social sculpture is a field of transformation

It is a place of questions.

Social sculpture is a territory where inner and outer work co-incide. 

It emphasises the role of imagination in transformative social process and the centrality of alternative modes of thought. 

Social sculpture is concerned with exploring strategies, methods and principles that enable us to see, understand and act imaginatively to shape a humane and ecologically viable world.

It is about: 

perceiving interrelationships
joined up thinking and practice
enabling connective understanding.

Joseph Beuys' 'expanded conception of art'

The field of social sculpture derives in part from the work of Joseph Beuys, who proposed and stressed the need for an expanded conception of art in which every human being - in their inherent freedom, creativity and transformative power -  is potentially an artist.

Coming to know our freedom

In this field our work connects the problems and challenges we face with the inner perspectives, values and habits that create them.
 
Despite the fact that we are all affected by the conditions that surround us -many of which we have created- from a social sculpture perspective we are inherently free to change things.

By acknowledging this freedom we see that 'another world is possible' no matter how huge the tasks. And as we work towards something better, we create the means to shape a more humane and sustainable 'sculpture'.

What the social sculpture web-platform offers

A great many people from different practices, disciplines and cultures are working towards a humane and sustainable way of inhabiting the world.  A new determination to transform the conditions and take our lives into our own hands is nowadays stronger than ever. It is valuable however to explore what is unique and particular about social sculpture.

This social sculpture platform is therefore a way of:

-researching and presenting the possibilities and practices in the field of social sculpture

-exploring transformative approaches that reconnect us to each other and the world

-connecting the individuals and organisations that are working in this transdisciplinary field

In this section of the website you will find material that reflects on the nature and origins of the idea of social sculpture, as well as perspectives on the different practices and methods in this field.