Students challenge the present

Students are using the slogan "leave contemporary times" to question the current era, particularly in art and politics, and to call for a reevaluation of the status quo. The phrase has become a rallying cry during protests, prompting discussions about the nature of the present and the need for change.

Critique of power structures

The slogan targets government and political entities, including those on the extreme center and right, who are accused of suppressing uprisings through police force without addressing the root causes of the protests. This critique highlights a broader dissatisfaction with existing power structures and their handling of social movements.

Call for a new political era

Political scientist Samuel Hayat suggests that the slogan may signal a push for a radical overhaul of the current political order, aiming to establish a new democratic framework aligned with republican principles. This perspective frames the student movement as a catalyst for transformative political change.

Hyperpolitical era defined

Political scientist Anton Jäger describes the current period as a "hyperpolitical" era, marked by continuous uprisings and shifting political landscapes. This term, explored in his work La Découverte, reflects the intensity and frequency of political engagement in contemporary society.

Reassessing the present

Philosopher Giorgio Agamben, in What is the Contemporary?, argues that the present is a focal point for those who resist passive acceptance of the time they live in. His work emphasizes the tension between adhering to the present and confronting its challenges, a theme resonating with current student movements.

Impact on art and culture

The reevaluation of the present has significant implications for the art world, where the term "contemporary" is central. The idea that 21st-century art may no longer be considered contemporary raises questions about the legacy of movements like those inspired by Marcel Duchamp, a pivotal figure in the development of contemporary art.

Art's evolving landscape

Current debates in the art world include concerns about commercialization, as seen in controversies like those involving the Art Basel Paris fair. Additionally, discussions on the role of AI in the future of literature, such as the Thélyson Orélien controversy, highlight the ongoing transformation of creative practices and the potential end of an artistic era.