Local Cultures – Global Spaces

Abstract

Focusing on the balcony as a site of public address and representational space of power, the research on The Politics of the Balcony in Contemporary Art explores artistic practices that deal with political histories in public space. It investigates the political meaning of the balcony through visual and performative analysis of two recurring acts: balcony speeches by political figures in the last century and contemporary art practices on or related to the balcony. The balcony is a liminal architectural space between the private and public realms, between the inside and the outside, between the “above” and “below”. The research investigates relations between the image of political figures above on balconies and people below on squares/streets, the visual and performative aspects of the connections between these two spaces, and the movements and positions involved therein. It critically examines a range of contemporary artworks in relation to the social and political context. How can art respond to troubled histories in public space without reproducing the performance and image of hegemonic power? Researching the connections between balcony speeches, the public space, and artistic practices offers new perspectives on the public function and political philosophy of the balcony. The research falls mainly in the fields of cultural studies and art theory, but it is also informed by urban and political theories, with methods based on visual studies and practices of semiotics. My presentation summarizes the ongoing research’s main arguments by presenting the cornerstones of the context in line with some examples of visual analysis.