Creating Worlds Otherwise: Art, Collective Action, and (Post)Extractivism

Latin American extractivism has caused ecological devastation, wealth accumulation, and erosion of rights. Sociology, political ecology, anthropology, and geography have ignored the role of art and cultural practices in studies of extractivism and postextractivism. Creating Worlds Otherwise offers narratives that subaltern groups generate around extractivism and how they develop, communicate, and mobilize these narratives through art and cultural practices. It is an innovative contribution to Latin American studies, political ecology, cultural studies, and art theory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Vanderbilt University Press

Latin American extractivism has emerged as a central framework for activists and scholars to understand the dynamics of ecological devastation, wealth accumulation, and erosion of rights. These maladies trace their roots to longstanding extraction-oriented economies and more recently, the expansion of the extractive frontier and the implementation of new technologies in fossil fuels, mining, and agriculture. While the fields of sociology, political ecology, anthropology, and geography have extensively explored these issues, the role of art and cultural practices in studies of extractivism and post-extractivism has been largely overlooked.
On the other hand, the field of art theory has produced a wealth of texts that offer insightful analyses of artwork addressing extraction, environmental degradation, and the climate crisis. However, a significant limitation of this perspective is its lack of engagement with collective action and the broader political context in which art is produced and consumed.
To address this gap, Creating Worlds Otherwise presents narratives generated by subaltern groups around extractivism and their development, communication, and mobilization through art and cultural practices. The book draws from a two-year research project conducted in Argentina, which builds on extensive experience working on environmental justice projects and campaigns in Argentina and the UK.
Structured according to the main themes of anti- and post-extractivist movements, the book explores territoriality, ecofeminism, the ethics of care, human rights and the rights of nature, urban extractivism, sovereignty, autonomy, and self-determination, and postextractivism and alternatives to development. It makes an innovative contribution to the field by highlighting the role of art and cultural practices in shaping resistance and alternatives to extractivist practices.
In conclusion, Latin American extractivism has profound ecological, social, and political consequences. By examining the role of art and cultural practices in studies of extractivism and post-extractivism, Creating Worlds Otherwise contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of these issues and offers insights into the potential for creative resistance and alternatives to extractivist practices.

Dimension: 260 x 168 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826504555