Abstract

This paper examines the concept of risk in the domain of contemporary art practices, highlighting the dichotomy between the calculated risk of the artistic gesture and real risks. In this exploration, three distinct approaches to the use of risk in art are defined. Firstly, risk is an inherent element of the creative process, where artists engage with uncertainty and the potential for failure as a means of pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Secondly, risk is a central theme that the artist seeks to explore and represent, often reflecting broader social, political, or existential concerns. Thirdly, the paper focuses on the performative aspect of risk, where the act of taking risks becomes a spectacle in itself. Since contemporary cultural and economic landscape values and even romanticizes the idea of risk-taking, artists find themselves in an ambiguous position, as they balance the demands of a society that simultaneously seeks innovation and challenges traditional boundaries, while also dealing with the inherent uncertainties and potential consequences of their artistic choices