Fragmentation and solidarity in the artistic milieu of contemporary Paris: A perspective from Emile Durkheim

Abstract

Abstract Early 20th century Paris is considered to be one of the first art capitals in the world. However, there is, to date, no research on contemporary Paris that looks into the conditions and structure of its urban art scene. The aims of this paper are twofold: 1) to obtain an understanding of the conditions that prevent or separate the current artistic landscape from its former heydays, and 2) to embed the empirical data into a theoretical framework that can potentially be used to compare this situation with those of other cities. The main concept of Durkheim's that will inform this framework is the term milieu. This term has been tested by the author regarding a number of other cities that have been studied, including New York City, Mexico City, London, Beijing, Zurich, and Tokyo. The main findings of this study will show that the Parisian artistic milieu can be described as in a state of ‘social sclerosis’, as an anaemic detachment from other artistic micro-segments-the solidarity organs not being sufficiently in contact, which constrains freedom of expression, fosters the lack of independence, and promotes low tolerance, which is a partial explanation why Paris is unable to revamp its status as former capital of bohemia.