Ensemble

Joseph Beuys was an artist who worked against the logic and hegemony of modernism. Modernism can be characterised by a shift towards individualism, greater rationalisation, the replacement of religion by capitalism as a dominant faith system, and a monolithic grand-narrative of history and culture. Despite its claim of universality, modernism can be seen as an expression of eurocentrism. Beuys wanted to counteract this ideology by shifting away from materialism towards an emphasis on human creativity, direct action, nature and mysticism. By using the notion of Eurasia, Beuys wanted to identify with all who live on the Eurasian peninsula, including with those who fell outside the “West's” self-image. His use of the notion of Eurasia as an alternative vision to that offered by the West, was a key part of his anti-modern approach to his life and work.