Flashmob, today’s artistic responses

Abstract

The appearance in the XXI century of artistic practices such as Flashmob confirms the current need of mankind for collaboration and social demands outside the formal institutions. In a flashmob, a mob organized through a digital environment meets briefly to make something out of context in the urban landscape, with features that approaches it to a Happening. The collective experience of a group excited about a common interest, Its spontaneous nature and its self-management model, typical of the reality that stains the current cultural events, coupled with the need for answers because the disorientation faced by contemporary societies, are sufficient ingredients to protect its reproduction. The vehicle is powerful. The anonymity of crowds acting tribally in the streets invading the social order with an action makes it stimulating. However, their prospects are still uncertain. Renowned brands and large promotional events have appropriated the idea for their own use. Thus, in the present scenario the most absurd and superfluous flashmobs and the most committed flashmobs dance together. However, we continue to insist on its value. Its alternative and underground character cause they go unnoticed, but the amount of daily represented flashmobs are important and symptomatic. The scenario has changed, the express sign has invaded our time and the traditional definition of culture has been transferred to everyday life, not being free of controversy.