Aeffect: The Affect and Effect of Artistic Activism

Æffect is the first book to seriously identify how artistic activism works and how to make it work better, drawing on the co-founder and current Research Director of the Center for Artistic Activism's more than twenty-five years of experience and one hundred in-depth interviews with artistic activists worldwide. It explores three sets of concerns: change, intention, and evaluation, and includes examples of successful artistic activism such as Undocubus, Journal Rappé, and War on Smog. Scannable QR codes are included to help readers assess the æffect of their artistic activism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 May 2024
Publisher: Fordham University Press

The past decade has witnessed a remarkable surge in the hybrid practice of artistic activism, as artists have increasingly turned to activism to enhance the social impact of their work and activists have embraced artistic techniques and perspectives to enhance the creativity of their interventions. However, several critical questions remain unanswered: Does artistic activism achieve its aesthetic goals? Does it effectively address political issues? And what does it mean to work at the intersection of art and activism? In his book Æffect, author Stephen Duncombe seeks to address these fundamental questions at the core of the field of artistic activism. Drawing on his extensive experience in the field and over one hundred in-depth interviews with artistic activists worldwide, Duncombe offers a comprehensive exploration of the theory, research, and tools that can help artistic activists evaluate and strengthen their practice and create more impactful projects. The exploration of effective artistic activism is grounded in three key concerns: change, intention, and evaluation. 1. Change: What theories of change underpin artistic activism? 2. Intention: What do we hope to achieve through artistic activism, and how do we measure its success? 3. Evaluation: How can we measure the impact of artistic activism and ensure that it is having a meaningful effect? Æffect is replete with examples of successful artistic activism, including Undocubus, an old bus painted with the phrase "No Fear" that was driven across the country by a group of undocumented immigrant activists, and Journal Rappé, a video show created by Senegalese rappers that explores long-form issues. These examples demonstrate the power of artistic activism to bring attention to important social and political issues and to inspire change. However, the book also acknowledges the challenges and complexities of artistic activism, such as the potential for co-optation by mainstream media and the need to navigate complex power dynamics. Despite these challenges, Æffect remains a vital resource for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of art and activism and seeking to create meaningful change in the world. By providing a framework for evaluating and strengthening artistic activism, the book encourages artists and activists to embrace their creativity and use their work to make a positive impact on society.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 248 x 153 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531506513