The relationship between art and politics: a theoretical-methodological introduction

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between art and politics within the tradition of leftist politics, synthesized in the concept of "committed art" and other related concepts. Starting with a discussion of the existing literature which has addressed the topic, the paper develops in two directions: a mapping of the debate between the classical Marxist authors on the question of culture (Lukács, Brecht, Adorno and Benjamin), and the history of the experiences and cultural movements occurring in the context of the Russian Revolution, seen here as a laboratory of aesthetic and ideological experiences. Finally, the article points out some theoretical and methodological problems faced by the sociologist or historian researching in this subject field.