### **Joseph Beuys (1921–1986) – Quick Overview** **Key Contributions:** - Expanded the definition of **art** beyond traditional forms, embracing **social sculpture**—the idea that society itself is an artwork shaped by collective creativity. - Championed the concept that **"Everyone is an artist"**, suggesting creativity is inherent in all human actions. - Used unconventional materials like **fat, felt, honey, and dead animals** to symbolize healing, energy, and transformation. - Pioneered **performance art** and **Fluxus**-inspired happenings, blending art, politics, and activism. **Famous Works & Actions:** - **"How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare" (1965)** – Performance where Beuys whispered to a dead hare, symbolizing knowledge beyond rationality. - **"I Like America and America Likes Me" (1974)** – Lived with a coyote in a gallery, critiquing U.S. imperialism and indigenous displacement. - **"7000 Oaks" (1982–87)** – Ecological/social project planting 7,000 trees with basalt stones, linking art to urban renewal. **Legacy:** - Influenced **conceptual art**, **participatory art**, and **eco-art**. - Merged **art, politics, and spirituality**, seeing creativity as a tool for societal change. Beuys remains one of the most radical thinkers in postwar art, redefining art’s role in public life. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`