Cultural politics in Argentina. How do artists create an environment for local political participation?

graffiti in Buenos Aires

What relations exist between art, politics and social organisation? This is what PhD student Elke Linders is researching within the context of artistic-political activism in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where various activist groups combine symbolic and artistic activities with political activism. These include murals, graffiti-stencils and statues made out of old iron. These groups also organise cultural events. 

How do artist-activists create an environment for local political participation in public spaces?

Elke's PhD research focuses on the cultural politics of these artist-activists and the ways in which they create an environment for local political participation through their participatory art in public spaces. Through this lens, she is also studying the role that emotion, affection and experience play in local political processes.