Visual Activism in the 21st Century: Art, Protest and Resistance in an Uncertain World

Activism and protests have increased due to the world's crisis, and activism now relies on spectacle and visibility to be noticed. This anthology presents 16 case studies of visual activism from across the globe, examining how it works in practice and addressing a wide range of issues such as human rights abuses, state violence, gender and sexuality, racism, migration, and climate breakdown. The case studies are drawn from a diverse range of international contexts and approaches, and provide a fresh perspective on the possibilities, limitations, and politics of visual activism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The world is in crisis, unleashing a wave of activism and protests that have brought activists and protesters into the public spotlight. In this era of globalized capitalism and networked media, activism has become increasingly reliant on spectacle and visibility to make its mark. At the same time, a growing number of artists are employing creative strategies to critique the establishment, challenge power structures, and demand change. Visual activism, a powerful form of expression, is emerging as a powerful tool in this struggle.

This anthology presents 16 case studies of visual activism from across the globe, offering an up-to-date picture of the impact of contemporary visual and art activism. The case studies cover a wide range of issues, including human rights abuses, state violence, gender and sexuality, racism, migration, and climate breakdown. They explore a diverse range of approaches, from playful carnivalesque parades to extreme practices such as 'lip-sewing,' drawing from a wide range of international contexts, from Europe and the US to Iran, India, Pakistan, Tunisia, and China.

By presenting these case studies in a comparative format, the anthology enables readers to consider examples comparatively, noticing emerging trends and key differences that reveal how geopolitical and cultural factors shape activist practices. This rich and timely collection provides a fresh perspective on the possibilities, limitations, and politics of visual activism, as activists, artists, and curators respond to the changing world around them in this most uncertain of times. It will be a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike, contributing significantly to our understanding of how art can aid political struggle in the global contemporary context.

Weight: 980g
Dimension: 190 x 246 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350265110