Processes of legitimization in contemporary Art: the young British Artists phenomenon

Abstract

The Young British Artists (YBAs) was a generation that incorporated elements from media, advertising and cultural industry into the art world in the late 20th century. Based on a case study of the group and the distinctive phases of its meteoric trajectory, we analyse the circumstances and agents involved in the processes of legitimisation in contemporary art. As an instrumental tool, we use the model presented by Alan Bowness in his publication, which outlines the process that allows artists to access certain social recognition. This outline provides us with a model of reference upon which to reconstruct the pattern of the YBAs trajectory to determine the sociocultural circumstances surrounding the media phenomenon. These results also correct and modify certain aspects of Bowness’ model to adapt it to the current socioeconomic context that sustains the processes of legitimisation of art today.