Freedom as the Core of Art: A Sartrean Account

Abstract

This article explores Jean-Paul Sartre’s conception of freedom and its integral role in artistic creation. In his seminal work Being and Nothingness, Sartre distinguishes between two realms of being — being-in-itself and being-for-itself. Sartre argues that consciousness, unlike objects, is inherently free because it can negate, reflect, and imagine alternatives. Freedom, for Sartre, is not simply a philosophical idea but a practical condition of existence that allows humans to define themselves. This freedom, according to Sartre, is what enables conscious beings to transcend the deterministic world of objects and engage in self-reflection, choice, and creation. Art, for Sartre, is not a mere representation or imitation of the world but a creation that reflects the artist’s subjective experience and freedom. It challenges traditional notions of art and instead emphasizes the active role of both the artist and the spectator in interpreting and giving meaning to the artwork. By engaging with art, the spectator participates in the process of creation, bringing their own freedom to the interpretation. Finally, the article shows how freedom is the foundation for artistic creation.