Activism, art and social practice : a case study using Jacques Ranciere’s framework for analysis

The question can no longer just be whether “art and social practice” or creative forms of activism are part of larger neo liberal agenda nor if they are potentially radical in their conception, delivery or consumption. The question also becomes: what are the effects of social practice art and design for the artists, institutions, and the publics they elicit in public and private spaces; that is, how can we consider such artworks differently? I argue the dilution of social practices’ potentially radical interventions into cultural processes and their absorption into larger neo liberal agendas limits how, as Jacques Rancière might argue, they can intervene in the “distribution of the sensible.” I will use a case study example from The Center for Tactical Magic, an artist group from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Portrait of Jacques Offenbach Portraits Men

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1838-1839 documents relating to Jacques Judah Lyons and his service to K.K. Beth Shalome, Richmond, Virginia

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Letter of recommendation for Jacques Judah Lyons from Isaac Leeser

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Certificate of Jacques Judah Lyons discharge as hazan in Surinam

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Application of Jacques Judah Lyons to K. K .S. I. for hazan

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Resolution appointing Jacques Judah Lyons Superintendent of Polonies Talmud Torah School

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Recommendation of Jacques Judah Lyons from Surinam

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Resolution of trustees regarding marriage of Jacques Judah Lyons

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Registry of cases of circumcision by Abraham I. Abrahams in New York

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Letter of thanks to Jacques Judah Lyons

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Letter from Jacques Judah Lyons to trustees of K. K. S. I. regarding establishment of permanent minyan

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Letter to Jacques Judah Lyons from trustees, not permitting him to officiate at funeral of Bernheimer child

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Various notes on Newport by Jacques Judah Lyons

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Certificate regarding Jacques Judah Lyons

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