Self-reference in contemporary art

This research aims to examine the role and functioning of the concept of "self-reference" in contemporary art practices from a philosophical perspective. Contemporary art, especially since the late twentieth century, has questioned traditional ways of producing meaning and has emphasized that the meaning of art is a process constructed together with the viewer. Self-reference has an important function in that works of art ask questions about the nature and meaning of art through references within themselves and include the viewer in these questions. This research aims to clarify how the concept of self-reference functions in the meaning-producing processes of contemporary art. The research aims to analyze contemporary works of art using the theories of important theorists such as Jean Baudrillard, Nicolas Bourriaud, Hal Foster, Arthur Danto and Jacques Derrida. Baudrillard's theory of "simulation" and "hyper-reality", Bourriaud's theory of "relational aesthetics", Foster's theory of "neo-avant-gardism", Danto's theory of "the end of art" and Derrida's poststructuralist theories will reveal how works of art produce meaning through self-reference and how they establish a relationship with the audience. In this context, the research will examine how self-reference works in contemporary works of art, and will analyze the process of the artist producing meaning in the work and how the audience is involved in this process on a philosophical level. The research will also develop an understanding of the aesthetics and meaning-producing forms of contemporary art by addressing the meaning structures of works of art in different disciplines such as installation, video art or performance.