A reinterpretati̇on of the concept of soi̇ld in contemporary art

This thesis critically reassesses the notion of "solidity" in contemporary art, exploring its connection to cultural transformation within a historical and philosophical framework. By addressing solidity through physical, intellectual, and cultural boundaries, it aims to deepen our understanding of meaning-making and artistic evolution. The pre-modern philosopher Heraclitus argued that all is in flux, with change as the only constant. His metaphor of fire symbolized a stabilizing form of transformation, suggesting that even what appears stable is inherently dynamic. This view laid a foundation for modern philosophical thought. With modernity—particularly after the Industrial Revolution—social structures, production systems, and individual identities underwent radical change. Karl Marx's statement that "all that is solid melts into air" captured this condition, describing capitalism's tendency to dissolve the stable and rebuild new forms. However, this also triggered crises in identity and the disintegration of cultural values. In the aftermath, skepticism toward universal truths grew. Postmodern thought embraced pluralism, multiple narratives, and fragmented identities, rejecting fixed norms. This shift reshaped artistic meaning-production, challenging the permanence of traditional forms and promoting a more fluid, inclusive aesthetic. Zygmunt Bauman further reinterpreted solidity through his concept of "liquid modernity." In his view, impermanence is no longer transitional but a permanent state. Change is the only constant, and structures that once provided cultural anchoring have become malleable, even manipulable. Thus, fluidity becomes both a site of transformation and a foundation for new, unstable solidifications. In this context, contemporary art operates within a cycle of disintegration and reconstruction. It not only reflects cultural change but actively shapes it. This thesis proposes a conceptual framework that traces the evolution from cultural rigidity to today's "ultraviolet permeability," where the solid is persistently questioned, dissolved, and redefined. By positioning art as both a witness to and an agent of this ongoing metamorphosis, the study seeks to illuminate how solidity is continuously reformulated under the pressures of modern and postmodern conditions.