Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Analysis of strategies used by people associated with broadly understood art to create narratives of a political or social nature. Reflection on the relationship between art and mass ideas about politics, power and democracy. Indication of the need to broaden the understanding of the concept: homo politicus, which would include artists – involved in the problems of the socio-political world.

RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Analysis of scientific and media discourse on the indicated topic, elements of analysis of the activities of selected artists (in chronological order).

PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The first part of the essay will present the understanding of the concept of homo politicus in the context of people of art, for whom political activity, at least initially, was not a primary occupation. The conclusion will provide an answer to the question about the fundamental functions of choosing such and not other narrative tactics.

RESEARCH ANALYSIS RESULTS: Indication of the most important and most frequent ways in which artists include postulates with political aspirations or presenting strong involvement in social issues. Reminder that artists and their activities can function as an element of soft power. Contemporary culture uses the heritage of people of art, such as Fryderyk Chopin, Ignacy Paderewski or Agnieszka Holland, as an element of soft power in cultural diplomacy, promoting the political significance of Poland around the world.

CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS: The conclusion notes that engaged artists often sustain a specific mythology surrounding the role of artists. It also considers how such messages can reach audiences critical of the mythologization or sacralization of iconic figures. For recipients of artists’ political activity, this implies a dual need: a reflective, potentially polemical stance toward such communication, combined with openness to deeper, individually pursued knowledge about artists’ views.