Aesthetic Rebellions to Reclaim Anti-Authoritarian Futures

In the last decade, we have seen the resurgence of global authoritarianism as we witnessed the parade of right-wing governments, the strengthening and expansion of extreme right-wing parties, punitive and repressive policies, hate speeches, and nationalist, reactionary, racist, neo-fascist, and anti-feminist ideologies. Not only are states becoming authoritarian, but society is too. In mass media and social networks, in advertising and propaganda, we are constantly exposed to images and sounds that feed our minds with reactionary discourses and aesthetics. Authoritarianism shapes mentalities and mobilizes people on deep psychological and emotional levels. How can we resist this authoritarian mobilization of affects? What aesthetic and emotional strategies can we employ to counteract and subvert it?

Join us for an interactive workshop based on the new book Beyond Molotovs. A Visual Handbook of Anti-Authoritarian Strategies. The workshop will include an exhibition and discussion of how -- using images, songs, memes, poems, occupation of spaces, symbols, graffiti, murals, and stickers -- people craft aesthetics of resistance that can be used to confront authoritarian tendencies.

After providing an overview of the book by co-editor, Inés Durán Matute, participants will have the opportunity to explore developing their own anti-authoritarian images, banners and symbols.

This workshop aims to be a space to share experiences, inspire each other, and hopefully facilitate future collaborations against authoritarianism.

Thanks to Data Justice Hub, Ethnography Lab, Visual Studio for their support.