Arte, afección y vitalismo cósmico. Retórica y estrategias del artista enfermo en el ámbito contemporáneo bajo el prisma del vitalismo cósmico

Resum

This Doctoral Thesis is aimed at contributing to the analysis of the symbology and con- cept of disease as well as its effects on contemporary art through the work of artists who endure it while delving into the connection between the dissertation here drawn and the Cosmic Vitalism of Darío Botero Uribe. In order to achieve the said objectives, a thorough methodology has been made necessary to analyze the various vitalist strategies developed by budding artists when it comes to clarifying and spreading such a meaningful phenomenon as disease, in addition to the bilingual process the diseased body undergoes, namely, the sign and meaning system within it. Not less important are the considerations about the current social signicance of disease built on toxic metaphors and unmovable values. Finally, much attention has been paid to the impact of the overpowering pharmaceutical industry taking as a starting point the controversial works by some artists from last century who focused on disease as pro table business, the blooming of widespread medication and the ensuing codependent relationship with the patient. The central question in this research deals with the possibility of the diseased artist being able to not only cure, but also cleanse the concept of disease that society has built on the already mentioned fake values and toxic metaphors with the pharmaceutical industry as its lucrative agent, all from the perspective of Cosmic Vitalism. Reserved word: cosmic vitalism, art and disease, bioart, symptom, transvaloration, self-education.