https://beautifultrouble.org/toolbox/tool/the-movement-cycle

https://beautifultrouble.org/toolbox/tool/perception-box

The final for this course comprises a research paper that makes an original argument about the political implications or effects of a contemporary artwork or artist, supported by primary (sources given in the room and Padlet) and secondary sources (Personal research). Students will present their argument in a written format (The final paper, 1200-1500 words), A 10-minute Video or Sound track.

The Seminar projects should be done individually. We will discuss the deadline.

Does it interfere with the Normal?

Is it an effort for a change?

What does it emphasise on?

There are a couple of accompanying texts in the Reading Room part of the website under the section MAPS FOR THE ANTHROPOCENE.

I am very much interested in finding out about how trauma-related work encourages action – as it is radically inviting for the phenomenological body to show up in its individuality. And beyond that, I would like to find out when it is activism – and how its activistic potential can be expanded.

As a white person who is concerned with dismantling colonialism, I want to look at if and how organisations like the Pocket Project make that attempt. From my current level of awareness, the Project Project has made considerable efforts for it. At the same time, I would like to know, how approachable they are, when it comes to addressing shortcomings. And whether they are continuously revising decolonisation in their organisation on a structural and material level.

On the website you can find academic research and opportunities to participate in programs or events. Some of them are free, some charge fees by different approaches. I personally recommend attending so called "Global Social Witnessing" calls.

FORM COLLECTIVE COMPLAINTS TO COMPLAINT COLLECTIVES

Sara shares her experience of gathering around twenty statements through email, illustrating how even anonymous collective complaints can signify a risk. A collective complaint reveals underlying issues within a department. For instance, when one woman spoke out about sexual harassment, it prompted others to share their experiences, leading to the realization that they were all targeted by the same perpetrator—a phenomenon she describes as "snowballing." This process demonstrates how collectives can provide necessary support and visibility for those affected by violence.

COMPLAINT ACTIVISM

In her discussion on complaint activism, sara notes that protests reveal how violence is directed and against whom it is aimed. Making complaints public transforms individuals into activists. Supporting a complaint can involve making it more visible and gathering additional evidence of its violence. Records become vital reminders of collective efforts, reinforcing the importance of shared experiences in the fight for justice.

However, Ahmed also situates complaints in a broader context, particularly through art, which acts as a bridge to external forms of activism. Artistic expressions of complaint, such as the examples of Emma Sulkowicz’s "Mattress Performance (Carry That Weight)" or the Guerrilla Girls' "Complaints Department", (often) operate outside the institution’s traditional confines, thus offering a form of detachment or vulnerability necessary for critique. By transforming personal grievances into vivid, public, and often communal artistic interventions, artists can reframe complaints as powerful calls to action that resonate beyond institutional boundaries. This artistic detachment not only raises awareness and fosters solidarity but also situates complaint as a societal critique that pushes for change in public discourse and cultural practices.

Thus, complaints blur the line between inside and outside activism, engaging directly with institutions while simultaneously harnessing broader cultural mediums like art to inspire and mobilize change beyond institutional limits – i.e. in collective actions.

Ahmed’s discussion on how these collectives expose and challenge deeper structural problems is particularly relevant in the context of contemporary activism. There’s a courageous element in turning personal grievances into collective movements, and Ahmed captures this transition well. Complaints, which are frequently dismissed as mere irritations within bureaucratic systems, are reframed as acts of resistance with the potential to develop into broader movements demanding substantial reform.

Personally, I believe it is crucial to recognize the dual these complaint collectives play—as spaces for healing and empowerment and as catalysts for broader societal transformation. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that, despite the challenges involved, the act of complaining can foster hope and drive significant change. Ahmed's insights underscore the ongoing struggle and resilience needed to confront and reshape institutional dynamics, illustrating the substantial impact of collective action.