Cultural activism and the politics of place-making

Buser, Michael; Bonura, Carlo; Fannin, Maria; Boyer, Kate

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the relationship between creative practice, activism and urban place-making by considering the role they play in the construction of meaning in urban spaces. Through an analysis of two activist groups based in Stokes Croft, Bristol (UK), we argue that cultural activism provides new political prospects within the wider context of global capitalism through the cultivation of a shared aesthetics of protest. By cultivating aspects of shared history and a mutual enthusiasm for creative practice as a form of resistance, Stokes Croft has emerged as a 'space of nurturance' for creative sensibilities. However, we note how Stokes Croft as an autonomous space remains open-ended and multiple for activists interested in promoting different visions of social justice. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2013
• Journal: City
• Print ISSN: 1360-4813
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-3629
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 606-627
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13604813.2013.827840
• Keywords: place identity, cultural activism, Stokes Croft, collectivity, resistance
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/926804
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13604813.2013.827840
• Additional Information: Additional Information : [e-mail] , [e-mail] , [e-mail]