The Gesamtkunstwerk is a beautiful idea in aesthetics and philosophy, which “roughly translates as a ‘total work of art’ and describes an artwork, design, or creative process where different art forms are combined to create a single cohesive whole.”*

The idea was first widely deployed in the late 19th century in opera, which combined many arts and disciplines into one.  We see it in culture in the twentieth century in rock albums, which notably were sometimes called Rock Operas.  In 21st century culture, we see it in certain movies, perhaps also in video games.

Where else?

I was recently in a very well run lean / visual factory.  It made me think of the Gesamtkunstwerk, how all the elements of making complex physical goods, the people, the systems, the materials, information about the whole process wove together into that “single cohesive whole.”  A wonderful thing to experience.

It’s a noble aspiration, I think, to imagine and live our own lives, and the web of relationships we have with our families, our friends, and our colleagues; with strangers and with our social world; in this way. As complete works of art.

-Chris

*There’s an excellent and concise exposition of the idea at  https://www.theartstory.org/definition/gesamtkunstwerk