Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Progressive Education 2025, Vol. 21(4) 1-8
Dissonant Reflections: Art, Aesthetics, Negation, and Social Change in Adorno’s Thought
pp. 1 - 8
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Abstract
Theodor W. Adorno, a central figure of the Frankfurt School, offered a multifaceted and often pessimistic analysis of art’s relationship to modern society. His critique of the “culture industry” targeted the commodification of art and its potential to suppress critical thought, highlighting the homogenizing tendencies of mass-produced culture. Adorno emphasized the importance of negation – art's ability to reveal contradictions and resist easy answers—as a form of resistance and explored the inherent tensions within artistic autonomy under capitalism. This article applies Adorno’s theoretical framework to analyze contemporary artworks, examining how artists negotiate these tensions, seeking critique within the very systems Adorno found problematic. Adorno’s enduring relevance lies in his ability to provide tools for understanding the ongoing struggle for art’s transformative power in our ever-changing cultural landscape. Additionally, the article explores convergences and divergences between Adorno’s views and those of other Frankfurt School members, enriching the analysis of art's complex and challenging role within society.
Keywords: Adorno, Frankfurt school, art theory, aesthetics, negation, aesthetic autonomy, mimesis, commodification, contemporary art, culture industry
APA 7th edition
Riedler, M. (2025). Dissonant Reflections: Art, Aesthetics, Negation, and Social Change in Adorno’s Thought. International Journal of Progressive Education, 21(4), 1-8.
Harvard
Riedler, M. (2025). Dissonant Reflections: Art, Aesthetics, Negation, and Social Change in Adorno’s Thought. International Journal of Progressive Education, 21(4), pp. 1-8.
Chicago 16th edition
Riedler, Martina (2025). "Dissonant Reflections: Art, Aesthetics, Negation, and Social Change in Adorno’s Thought". International Journal of Progressive Education 21 (4):1-8.
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