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Vice & Contemporary Art: A Critique of Power and Excess
written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolche
One of the most persistent themes across art history is the depiction of vice — the moral failings, indulgences, and corruptions that have always been part of the human experience. In classical art, vices were often represented as moral warnings, contrasted against virtues to instruct viewers on the consequences of ethical missteps. However, as art has evolved, so too has the interpretation of vice. In the context of contemporary art, vice is not simply portrayed as a moral failing, but rather as a critique of larger societal structures — particularly those built on power, wealth, and excess.The relationship between art and vice has grown complex in the modern era. Global capitalism, consumerism, and the commodification of nearly every aspect of our lives have provided fertile ground for contemporary artists to critique how these forces shape human behavior. The unchecked pursuit of wealth, materialism, and power has become central to understanding modern society’s vices, and contemporary art has risen to challenge these trends. Unlike classical portrayals of vice, where the consequences of indulgence were often depicted as a personal downfall or spiritual compromise, contemporary artists focus on the systemic and institutionalized forms of vice that manifest through greed, political authority, and…
