Involutionism

The term Involutionism comes from the cultural, artistic and social involution of contemporary society. Involutionism is a new artistic trend founded by Andrei Budău, which aims to criticize and confront the lack of culture and degrading values ​​of contemporary society. This current draws attention to the cultural and social degradation of society, where superficiality and ignorance have become widely promoted values. Involutionism wishes to address these alarming issues, advocating for a revival of authentic cultural values ​​and education through art. This current rises against the promotion of ignorance and mediocrity, proposing a cultural resistance to the involution of society.

Tagline: "At least stop promoting stupidity!"

Involutionism also presents itself as a deep reaction against the cult of praise and superficiality promoted on social networks. In an era where online platforms are flooded with images and posts that glorify material achievements and extravagant lifestyles, involutionism brings to the fore an alternative vision based on modesty and authenticity.

This artistic current criticizes the tendency to flaunt personal success and material possessions as indicators of individual worth. Instead of focusing on flashy image and ephemeral appearances, involutionism emphasizes the importance of core values ​​such as simplicity and introspection. Involutionist artists tackle themes that reflect a deeper view of life, emphasizing authenticity and essential experiences.

By rejecting ostentation and superficiality, involutionism offers not only a critique of contemporary culture, but also a call to appreciate fundamental values. This current promotes a return to the essentials, inviting us to focus on the essential aspects of life, instead of being swayed by appearances and consumerism. In a world often dominated by appearances and luxury, involutionism reminds us of the importance of modesty and authenticity, providing a valuable contrast to the superficial culture of social media.

The concept of Involutionism

Involutionism is an artistic movement that draws its juice from dissatisfaction with current trends in society, which often favor superficiality at the expense of true cultural values. Involutionism is a battle cry against the cultural and intellectual involution of contemporary society, promoting instead educational, cultural, spiritual and artistic evolution.

Objectives of Involutionism

- Creating Provocative Artwork: Involutionism aims to create artwork that provokes and stimulates critical thinking, questions current norms and inspires change. Involutionist works are meant to be provocative, thought-provoking, and generate deep discussion about the current state of culture and societal values.

- Education and Awareness: Through exhibitions, lectures and publications, proponents of involutionism want to educate the public about the importance of authentic culture and artistic values. They aim to create educational platforms and collaborate with academic institutions to promote a deeper understanding of art and culture.

- Constructive Criticism: Involutionism not only criticizes, but also offers solutions to improve the cultural and intellectual landscape of society. This includes proposals for educational reform, encouraging quality artistic production, and promoting a public discourse that emphasizes value and authenticity.

Basic principles of Involutionism:

- Criticism of contemporary society: Involutionism criticizes trends in superficiality and lack of cultural depth, directly addressing issues related to media, education, and entertainment.

- Criticism of mass media and new media: Involutionism also criticizes the role of mass media and new media in promoting lack of culture and perpetuating superficial values.

- Promoting Authentic Values: This movement encourages a return to authentic cultural values, art education, and deep appreciation of positively constructive artistic creation.

- Education through art: Involutionism advocates for continued education and personal development through art, believing that true culture can only be transmitted and perpetuated through a deep understanding of artistic forms.

- Returning to true moral values: Involutionism draws attention to the need to return to genuine moral values, which contemporary society forgets under the guise of a misunderstood democracy. This current promotes a return to integrity, respect and authenticity in all aspects of cultural and artistic life.

Involutionism, through its vision of art and culture, represents an artistic current that not only criticizes the superficiality of contemporary society, but also offers a refuge for those artists who aim to revive authentic values. Involutionist artists refuse to be swayed by the digital norms of modern culture and dedicate their work to an artistic expression that emphasizes essential human experiences and spirituality.

The Involutionist work

Involutionist art it is not created to impress through luxury or advanced digital technique, but to provoke deep reflection on fundamental values. These works are deliberately made using traditional techniques and authentic materials, avoiding any kind of excessive or artificial stylization. Involutionists prefer the simplicity and honest brutality of raw forms, thus criticizing the glorification of commercial art and mass artistic production.

Painting

In painting, Involutionists often return to classical techniques such as oil on canvas to address themes such as isolation in the digital age, alienation caused by social superficiality, and the need for introspection in a world that glorifies material consumption. Color palettes are often restrained, using neutral or cool tones to symbolize the spiritual emptiness they see in modern society.

Sculpture

Involutionist sculpture reflects the same philosophy: raw materials, such as stone or metal, sometimes unfinished, are used to emphasize the imperfection of the world in which we live. The unwieldy and seemingly unfinished forms become metaphors for the modern man – a spiritually unfulfilled individual, fragmented by an obsession with self-image and social status.

Photography

Photography also plays an essential role in the revolutionist movement, being used not for image manipulation but for capturing unadulterated reality. Artists avoid digital manipulations and artificial filters, preferring to capture people and moments in their natural state, without makeup or aesthetic constructions. The series of involutionary portraits show individuals in states of vulnerability, criticizing the standards of beauty imposed by social media and contemporary visual culture.

The philosophy and values ​​of Involutionism

Involutionist artists strongly condemn grandiosity, pride and opulence, seeing in them forms of self-idolatry that distract attention from the essentials of life: spirituality, education and deep culture. They do not criticize the desire to own material things—a natural part of human existence—but loathe the ostentatious display of them as evidence of success. In their view, man should be defined not by what he possesses materially, but by his inner values ​​and the cultural contribution he makes. Modesty is the central characteristic of involutionists.

Revaluation of Values

Involutionism calls for a reevaluation of values ​​and a return to what really matters: art as a form of education and introspection. Involutionist artists challenge the public to reflect on the role of art in society and rediscover the joy of modesty and authentic spirituality.

Criticism of Culture and Superficiality

Involutionists direct their criticism against the culture promoted by the mass media and digital platforms, which glorifies mediocrity and lack of depth. They are deeply unhappy that social media has become a platform where superficiality is rewarded, at the expense of genuine art and culture. They point out that art has often become a mere consumer product, created to gain validation from the general public rather than to stimulate critical thinking or convey deep values.

Through their art, Involutionists campaign for a revival of authentic culture, promoting education and personal development through creations that enrich the spirit and mind. They aim to create works that invite the public to deep reflection, not mere superficial contemplation. In this sense, involutionism becomes an artistic movement that raises questions about the current status of art and its role in society.

Art and Technology: A Clear Boundary

Involutionism not only opposes superficiality and contemporary consumerism, but also promotes a return to classical artistic styles, those born from the pure essence of the human soul. Evolutionist artists believe that no matter how advanced technology becomes, it will not be able to create true art. Art is seen as a unique manifestation of human spirituality, an expression of the soul that cannot be replicated by an artificial entity.

The Involutionist Artistic Style

The involutionist artistic style is characterized by a deliberate return to traditional techniques, inspired by the great eras of classical art, such as the Renaissance, Baroque or Romanticism. Involutionists do not just reject new digital technologies, but embrace manual art, considering the creative process sacred and directly related to the emotions and experiences of the artist.

In painting, the involutionists revalue classical portraiture and natural landscapes, aiming to convey an emotional and spiritual depth that goes beyond simple technique. Colors, shapes and compositions are meticulously crafted, each detail reflecting the inner state of the artist, not a mere visual reproduction.

In sculpture, the involutionist style appeals to classical figures and the harmony of human proportions, seeing in them symbols of spiritual perfection. This return to ideal forms serves as a critique of technology and mass production, which tend to dehumanize art, turning it into a commodity for quick consumption.

Involutionist works are loaded with deep meaning, being not only aesthetic representations, but also philosophical statements about the nature of art. Artists of this current assert that no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes, robots will not be able to understand or create true art because they lack human consciousness and the ability to feel. Art is a form of expression of the human soul, something that cannot be programmed or simulated by an artificial entity.

Andrei Budău: Founder of Involutionism

Andrei Budău is a cinematographer and photographer, activist in cultural and artistic projects, with a solid academic training in the art of the film image and the history of cultural resources. He is a vocal critic of cultural involution in contemporary society and a passionate art education enthusiast. Also, Andrei Budău is president of the Dacian Heritage Art Association, an association that supports and promotes the Romanian national heritage through the arts.

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in Film and TV Image: National University of Theater and Cinematography "I. L. Caragiale" (UNATC) Bucharest

- Master in the Art of Film Imagery and New Media: National University of Theater and Cinematography "I. L. Caragiale" (UNATC) Bucharest

- Master's student in History, Cultural and Heritage Resources in Contemporary Society: University of Bucharest

The Expected Impact of Involutionism

Involutionist artists aim to create a cultural resistance movement that inspires and motivates a profound change in the way society perceives and values ​​culture, art and education. The movement wants to become a catalyst for a cultural renaissance, where integrity, respect for authentic values, and deep and meaningful education are at the center of attention. Involutionism aspires to bring art and culture back to the forefront of collective consciousness, thus contributing to the development of society.