This article explores a paradigm of care as an alternative to the accelerating fragmentation of capitalist modernity. Drawing on critical cultural-historical psychology, and process philosophy, it develops a dynamic ontology of subjectivity and motives, emphasizing participation and co-individuation. The argument situates affectivity within political and aesthetic practices, illustrating how liminal experiences and artistic interventions can foster sustainable communities of care – or incite submission to ephemeral or authoritarian collectives. Using a case study from a Copenhagen social work institution, the paper examines tensions between formalized welfare governance and creative practices, highlighting the transformative potential of aesthetics in building caring democracies.
Morten; id_orcid 0000-0003-4001-9163 Nissen (Sun,) studied this question.