The Aesthetics of Chaos

In Greek mythology the word chaos describes the formless, unshaped state of the universe preceding its creation. Over time, the word also came to refer to the notions of darkness and abyss, as well as the state of disorder and utter confusion. The chaos theory that prevailed in the mid-twentieth century describes nature as a dynamical system of inconsistent change that is seen as both deterministic and unpredictable. In the post-pandemic era, cities demonstrate an almost chaotic behaviour in terms of political authority and economic management, affecting the aesthetics of everyday life in a most negative way. In the wake of these outbreaks, the existing cultural norms are disrupted, forcing us to react in unconventional ways, and new scientific knowledge is gained. In this chapter, I examine the chaotic aftermath of the Covid-19 epidemic and the legitimacy of the attendant decisions and policies.