“Identity Politics”. A Critical Perspective on Claims to Change the Art System

In recent years, the term “identity politics” has become increasingly central in contemporary art. A sensible and often polemical term, it navigates between discourse on diversity and inclusivity, aspirations to change the art system and the labeling of art production. Historically born out of the Western political and cultural emancipation movements of the 1960s, such as second wave feminism, gay, lesbian, and Black Civil Rights liberation movements, it was broadened towards the 1980s to issues of migration and the diasporic condition (Hall; Spivak) and the decentering of art history in a postcolonial and feminist perspective (Nochlin; Pollock). Today artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists, non-western and women artists express their lived experiences on an individual level or as a community while identity politics are on the agenda of most international art platforms. How do artist, art historians and curators deal with this critical term? How is difference and censorship addressed? When and how do legitimate values turn into labels? By analyzing seminal artworks and by examining milestone exhibitions, this seminar intends to reflect on this very current and widely debated topic. The seminar is held in German and English (working languages: German, English and French) and strongly encourages active participation throughout the semester.