Streitraum 18/19

Identity and Representation
Today, when we talk about identity, it is not always clear what this refers to: cultural, religious or social groups? Gender, ethnic background or nationality? Which ambivalent identities can help us understand social formations today? Which attributions and projections make the affiliation to a certain social or religious group or way of life more difficult, and which make it easier? Which images and ideas are instrumental to stigmatisation? Why are class divisions held to be so taboo it is as though they do not exist: social exclusion or distinction which is passed down from generation to generation? What does it take for democratic societies to again become more open, hybrid and pluralistic? What is the relationship between identity and representation? Parliamentary and political representations are coming under increasing criticism, but the forms that media and artistic representations take also need to be scrutinised. Which images, which narratives are quoted and repeated, which are suppressed and forgotten? How are stereotypes created which reinforce notions of »authentic« and »fake«, of »us« and »the other«? How liberally, critically or maliciously can people or groups be portrayed or caricatured? Which criteria apply to art, music, film and the theatre?