Joseph Beuys: From Artistic Theories to Socio-Political Activism

The aim of this article is to introduce the figure of Joseph Beuys to scholars of political science and administration and to explain the ideas promoted by this German activist, politician, and artist. The article focuses on analyzing Joseph Beuys’ concepts in the context of their significance for contemporary political science reflection. As an “artivist,” Beuys redefined the boundaries of art, treating it as a tool for social and political transformation. The author examines key aspects of Beuys’ concepts and activities, such as the idea of social sculpture, his involvement in the creation of social and political organizations, and his ecological initiatives, to better understand the methods and tools he used to achieve social and political goals. The key research question is as follows: Can Joseph Beuys’ concepts and actions be of interest from a political science perspective?