The aesthetics of anxiety: Existential themes in contemporary art

This research aims to examine the reflections of existential anxiety on the language of expression in contemporary art within the framework of four basic concepts (death, freedom, loneliness / isolation and meaninglessness) in Irvin D. Yalom's existential psychotherapy theory. The conceptual framework of the research is based on the basic thinkers of existential philosophy (Heidegger, Sartre, Kierkegaard) and Yalom's definitions of existential anxiety. The problem is how the existential anxieties of the individual find expression in contemporary art productions and how these anxieties are addressed through the language of artistic expression.The research adopted a qualitative approach and used document analysis and content analysis methods. Focusing on post-1980 contemporary art production, four artists (Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Anna Wypych, Marius Ritiu and Tetsuya Ishida) who deal with themes of existential anxiety were selected as the sample. Their works were analyzed in the context of the themes of death, freedom, loneliness/isolation and meaninglessness. The limitations of the study are that it focuses on the works of only four artists and that these works are discussed in a specific historical and cultural context.The results show that the artists express existential anxiety through different techniques (painting, installation, video) and metaphors. For example, Rasdjarmrearnsook deals with the theme of death in an ironic way, while Wypych explores freedom in the context of difficult decisions and responsibility. Ritiu, inspired by Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus, deals with the theme of meaninglessness, while Ishida reflects the pressure of modern society on the individual through the themes of loneliness and alienation.The research reveals that art is a powerful tool in the process of expressing and confronting one's existential anxieties. Recommendations include examining the therapeutic and educational role of art, increasing interdisciplinary studies and exploring the audience perspective.