PARTICIPATORY ART

Identifier:  imarina:9266840

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9266840

Authors:  Macaya, A; Valero, E

Abstract:
New forms of participatory ad and community based art seek to develop the possibilities of ad as a tool for social justice. In this paper, we will summarize some aspects of the historical evolution of community and participatory arts. These kind of experiences are also being transferred to the field of school education, as a vehicle for social engagement among young people. However, the real impact of such art forms has been the subject of interesting controversies. Should we define objective indicators and engage in statistic studies, in order to accurately assess the actual impact of art in social contexts, beyond the well-intentioned promises of artists, curators or policy makers? Or would be a better option to choose a specific-case approach, based on a close look, in the interpretive tradition? The experience that we summarize in this paper as a case study is analyzed from the second perspective. Our aim is to privilege the voice of the participants in order to elicit, to some extent, their lived experience. The research provides evidences that the participants understood the possibilities of participatory art forms. The experience seems to have contributed significantly to the participant's reflection about the problems of a specific group or community, and to the development of attitudes such as empathy, solidarity and social engagement.