NeMLA's 58th Annual Convention. Session: Aesthetic and cultural practices for rethinking the (un)common.

In the context of debates on social theory and philosophy (Nancy, Esposito, Rancière) a new framework for theoretical, historical and methodological research has emerged within the arts, in which communities and “the commons” play an active and central role in understanding the connections between art theory, collective actions and aesthetic practices.
In light of growing ecological and social crises, Mario Blaser introduced the concept of “the uncommons” to address the conflicts arising from differing perceptions of shared resources—goods, land, materials—in a world where many communities are exposed to neo-extractivist, colonialist and culturally dispossessing policies that threaten their very existence. The term "uncommons” highlights the challenges posed by the creation of a unified understanding of common resources, especially when diverse cultural perspectives are involved. In this sense, the various artistic practices (literature, theatre, visual and sound arts, performance) that work in solidarity with communities can engage in practices of ‘decommunalisation’, that is, actions in which culture is an essential source of empowerment and change for forming robust and inclusive communities and commons.
We welcome papers and practice-based proposals from researchers across disciplines, including literary and cultural studies, performance studies, philosophy, environmental humanities, art history, and social theory.

Possible topics and questions include, but are not limited to:
- Aesthetic practices as sites for active rethinking the common/uncommon
- Collaborative actions in territory, site specific arts and theater
- Decolonial, non-Western, no-modern approaches to community
- Arts and activisms
- Migrations, identities, and historical memories
- Cultural practices of reparation
- Entangled transnational communities

Chairs:
Cerstin Bauer-Funke (Universität Münster)
Paula Bertúa (University of Buenos Aires)

Modality: Hybrid.The session will be held in-person but a few remote presentations may be included.

Languages: English, Spanish, French

Deadline: September 30

Abstract guidelines: https://www.nemla.org/convention.html
Abstract submissions: https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/22342