Aesthetics in Protests
Submitted by ChrisMansour on Mon, 2011-01-03 15:54
Panel Abstract:
This panel will focus on the aesthetic tropes that activists use to express political dissent. Theatrical gestures such as street art (e.g., glamdalism), dance parties (e.g., Funk the War), or costumes have found their way into protest tactics. Simultaneously, many contemporary artists create 'activist' or 'social' art by pulling off media pranks against the government or corporations (e.g., Yes Men), reenact past protests (e.g., Mark Tribe or Sharon Hayes) and other forms of public performances. What are the historical roots that contribute to the use of current aesthetic interventions in political protests? In what ways do they expand or limit the possibilities for protests to transform the social order? How does experimenting with aesthetic and artistic sensibilities influence our political consciousness and practice? Political thinkers and art-activists will address these questions in order to make sense of the various forms of protest today.
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- Art
- Political and Social Movements
- G. Panel Session 3—Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
- Jamie Keesling—491
- Approved
- Chris Mansour—Parsons School of Design, Platypus Affiliated Society
- Jamie Keesling—491
- Laurel Whitney—Yes Men
- Marc Herbst—Journal of Aesthetics and Protest, Reclaim the Streets
- Stephen Duncombe—New York University
- 38
- E330
Panel Abstract:
This panel will focus on the aesthetic tropes that activists use to express political dissent. Theatrical gestures such as street art (e.g., glamdalism), dance parties (e.g., Funk the War), or costumes have found their way into protest tactics. Simultaneously, many contemporary artists create 'activist' or 'social' art by pulling off media pranks against the government or corporations (e.g., Yes Men), reenact past protests (e.g., Mark Tribe or Sharon Hayes) and other forms of public performances. What are the historical roots that contribute to the use of current aesthetic interventions in political protests? In what ways do they expand or limit the possibilities for protests to transform the social order? How does experimenting with aesthetic and artistic sensibilities influence our political consciousness and practice? Political thinkers and art-activists will address these questions in order to make sense of the various forms of protest today.
Go Back to Search for Panels by Topic
