Konstförstörelse/Förstörelsekonster: En undersökning av konstruktiv ikonoklasm som konstnärlig process

Abstract

Building on the concept of constructive iconoclasm as a creational force of iconicity, this thesis examines how the contemporary iconoclastic discourse is related to artistic process. Studies have shown that the performative act of destroying art that is an historical phenomenon is highly present within the contemporary art discourse today. Due to the many dimensions of contemporary art, the ways in which iconoclastic deeds appear may differ from the historical narrative. While iconoclasm and iconicity are being reciprocal processes that can only exist in relation to each other and their context, there are signs that the destructive act itself is being recontextualized by contemporary artists. Guided by the framework of Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis, the thesis examines the processes of conceptual and constructive art destruction by analyzing the discourses of two case studies situated in the contemporary art market. With W.J.T. Mitchells image theory that recognizes the power of visual representation and the creation of meaning in art, the thesis explores the transgressive deeds that pushes images beyond their limits in creating iconic art. Results show that constructive iconoclasm have been instrumentalized within contemporary artistic processes as a way to create iconicity.