I wished to go completely outside and to make a symbolic start
I wished to go completely outside and to make a symbolic start for my enterprise of regenerating the life of humankind within the body of society and to prepare a positive future in this context.
The words of Joseph Beuys speak as an oracle: “I wished to go completely outside and to make a symbolic start for my enterprise of regenerating the life of humankind within the body of society and to prepare a positive future in this context.” In these lines burns a longing not merely to step away from the noise of the age, but to return bearing fire—fire for renewal, for the shaping of destiny. The outside here is not exile, but a chosen wilderness, where the soul seeks clarity before re-entering the human throng.
The ancients understood this rhythm of departure and return. Moses ascended Sinai into cloud and thunder, only to descend with the law for his people. The Buddha left his palace to wander in silence, then returned to gather disciples beneath the Bodhi tree. Such journeys are not escapes but symbolic starts, moments when an individual leaves behind the old, in order to midwife the new within the heart of the community. Beuys, like these figures, saw that regeneration of society requires first the cleansing of the self, and the courage to be transformed in solitude.
His words also bear the burden of history. Beuys had lived through the wreckage of war, the collapse of order, the ashes of ideology. He knew that merely patching the present was insufficient. To “regenerate the life of humankind” demanded not fragments, but the weaving of an entirely new tapestry. This is why he speaks of preparing a positive future—a future not inherited passively, but crafted deliberately, like a sculptor chiseling form from unyielding stone.
Consider also the tale of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor. Amid the battles on the Danube frontier, he carried with him not merely the sword but his book of Meditations. In those pages, written in solitude, he fashioned the principles that would steady both his rule and his soul. This union of inner retreat and outer leadership mirrors Beuys’ call: first to step outside, to forge vision, and then to return bearing wisdom that may anchor the many.
Thus the quote is no idle musing, but a summons: to venture beyond the comfortable boundaries of custom, to begin anew with courage, and to labor not for self alone but for the healing of the body of society. For the outside is the forge, the symbolic start is the hammer, and the positive future is the form yet to be shaped. To those who hear, the words command: leave, renew, and return—so that the life of humankind may be lifted into brighter dawn.
QTNguyen Quang Tien
This quote from Beuys invites deep reflection on the role of art, society, and personal responsibility in creating a better future. The notion of regeneration implies a return to something vital, but how do we decide what needs regeneration? Is it the social structures themselves, or the way we engage with them? What does a 'positive future' really look like, and how do we prepare for it in practical terms?
Ddanvy
Beuys’ call to make a symbolic start for regenerating humankind’s future is thought-provoking, especially when considering how disconnected many of us feel from large-scale societal change. Can a symbolic gesture be enough to drive meaningful transformation? And if so, how can we as individuals contribute to this regeneration? Is it simply about creating new ideas, or is action required alongside symbolic acts?
KNHoang Khanh Nam
The idea of regenerating the life of humankind within the 'body of society' is powerful but also complex. Does this mean that societal problems—whether they be environmental, political, or cultural—can only be solved by rethinking our roles within the systems we inhabit? Beuys’ reference to preparing a positive future suggests a proactive approach, but what are the practical steps needed to bring such an abstract vision to life?
MQMai Quynh
Beuys seems to be advocating for a radical approach to the future, suggesting that by 'going outside,' one can create new beginnings. But how does this notion of 'going outside' relate to the broader goal of regenerating humankind? Is it about breaking from tradition, or is it more about embracing new ways of thinking? How can this symbolic start actually lead to a 'positive future' that benefits all of society?
NHnguyen thi ngoc han
This quote seems to highlight Beuys’ belief in the power of individual action for collective regeneration. But what does he mean by 'the body of society'? Is he referring to the political or cultural systems we operate in? It feels like he’s pointing to the idea that society needs to undergo a profound transformation, but is this transformation something we can initiate individually, or must it be a collective movement?