Contemporary Citizenship, Art, and Visual Culture: Making and Being Made

This edited volume explores the role of visual art and culture in constructing and contesting state-sanctioned and cultural citizenships from the late 1970s to today, examining diverse visual media and topics such as nation building, civic practices, border zones, transnationalism, statelessness, and affects of belonging.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited volume delves into the multifaceted realm of citizenship, exploring its political, cultural, and intertwined aspects. It examines the role of visual art and visual culture as crucial sites for the construction and contestation of state-sanctioned and cultural citizenships from the late 1970s to the present. Contributors to this comprehensive book analyze a diverse range of visual media, including painting, sculpture, photography, performance, the built environment, new media, and social practice, within various international communities, such as the United States, South Africa, Turkey, and New Zealand. The topics covered in this volume are wide-ranging and include, but are not limited to, citizenship in terms of nation building, civic practices, border zones, transnationalism, statelessness, and the impacts of belonging as well as alternative forms of or resistance to citizenship.

Introduction:
Citizenship is a complex and multifaceted concept that has evolved over time, shaped by political, social, and cultural factors. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role of visual art and visual culture in shaping and contesting citizenship. This edited volume aims to explore this topic in depth, examining how visual media can be used as sites for the construction and contestation of both state-sanctioned and cultural citizenships.

Visual Art and Visual Culture as Sites for Citizenship Construction:
Visual art and visual culture play a vital role in constructing and contesting citizenship. They provide a platform for individuals and communities to express their identities, values, and experiences, and can shape public perceptions and attitudes towards citizenship. Artists and cultural producers use visual media to challenge dominant narratives, promote inclusivity, and advocate for social change.

State-Sanctioned Citizenship:
State-sanctioned citizenship refers to the legal and political rights and responsibilities that are granted to individuals based on their nationality or place of residence. It is often associated with the concept of nation-building, where governments use visual media to promote national identity, patriotism, and loyalty to the state. State-sanctioned citizenship can be seen in government propaganda, national symbols, and public art installations.

Cultural Citizenship:
Cultural citizenship, on the other hand, refers to the rights and responsibilities that are granted to individuals based on their cultural identity and participation in cultural practices. It recognizes the diversity of cultures and the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration. Cultural citizenship can be seen in the promotion of cultural heritage, the preservation of cultural traditions, and the participation of individuals in cultural activities.

Contestation of Citizenship:
While visual art and visual culture can be used to promote state-sanctioned citizenship, they can also be used to contest it. Artists and cultural producers use visual media to challenge dominant narratives, question authority

The edited volume delves into the multifaceted realm of citizenship, exploring its political, cultural, and intertwined aspects. It examines the role of visual art and visual culture as crucial sites for the construction and contestation of state-sanctioned and cultural citizenships from the late 1970s to the present. Contributors to this comprehensive book analyze a diverse range of visual media, including painting, sculpture, photography, performance, the built environment, new media, and social practice, within various international communities, such as the United States, South Africa, Turkey, and New Zealand. The topics covered in this volume are wide-ranging and include, but are not limited to, citizenship in terms of nation building, civic practices, border zones, transnationalism, statelessness, and the impacts of belonging as well as alternative forms of or resistance to citizenship.

Visual Art and Visual Culture as Sites for Citizenship Construction:
Visual art and visual culture play a vital role in constructing and contesting citizenship. They provide a platform for individuals and communities to express their identities, values, and experiences, and can shape public perceptions and attitudes towards citizenship. Artists and cultural producers use visual media to challenge dominant narratives, promote inclusivity, and advocate for social change.

State-Sanctioned Citizenship:
State-sanctioned citizenship refers to the legal and political rights and responsibilities that are granted to individuals based on their nationality or place of residence. It is often associated with the concept of nation-building, where governments use visual media to promote national identity, patriotism, and loyalty to the state. State-sanctioned citizenship can be seen in government propaganda, national symbols, and public art installations.

Cultural Citizenship:
Cultural citizenship, on the other hand, refers to the rights and responsibilities that are granted to individuals based on their cultural identity and participation in cultural practices. It recognizes the diversity of cultures and the importance of cultural exchange and collaboration. Cultural citizenship can be seen in the promotion of cultural heritage, the preservation of cultural traditions, and the participation of individuals in cultural activities.

Contestation of Citizenship:
While visual art and visual culture can be used to promote state-sanctioned citizenship, they can also be used to contest it. Artists and cultural producers use visual media to challenge dominant narratives, question power structures, and advocate for alternative forms of citizenship. They may use their work to highlight the experiences of marginalized communities, challenge the boundaries of national identity, and promote a more inclusive and diverse society.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this edited volume provides a valuable insight into the role of visual art and visual culture in shaping and contesting citizenship. It highlights the importance of visual media as a tool for promoting social change, challenging dominant narratives, and promoting a more inclusive and diverse society. By examining the diverse range of visual media and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed, this volume contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of citizenship in the 21st century.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032339306