Légitimer l'art contemporain en région : l'exemple du Languedoc-Roussillon

Because of the absence of undeniable norms or criteria which would define the boundaries of contemporary art, the legitimation process is a better analytical tool than the identification one. Consequently, this article analyses networks and processes which contribute, together or separately, to the acknowledgement of the artist and its work of art. It also points out the effects of such a difficulty in identifying the contemporary artist. These one either concern the evaluation of the value of work or the implementation of public policies. Based on a regional field work, this article try to highlight the specific gain analyse should obtain through a bottom-up perspective. After having described the contemporary art networks in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, this article questions the notion of political legitimation of contemporary art and, in turn, the specific legitimacy patterns that politicians are using when they conduct public action in the contemporary art filed.