AustriaPhilosopher Jan Völker, now teaching at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, reflects on his first year there and critiques the current state of identity politics. He argues that over the past two decades, certain forms of uncertainty—particularly those related to the unconscious and ambivalence—have been systematically excluded from academic discourse. This exclusion, he suggests, stems from a desire for security and clarity within discussions, which has led to the marginalization of abstract, ambiguous, and spiritual elements. Völker warns that this trend threatens artistic practice by reducing it to content alone, stripping away the complexity and duality that define meaningful art. His work aims to counteract this development by reintroducing ambiguity and exploring alternative discourses.
Bias read (Center): The article presents philosophical critique on identity politics and its impact on discourse and art, but does not take a clear ideological stance. It quotes a philosopher discussing the effects of identity politics without endorsing or opposing them directly. The framing remains analytical and does
