Emancipation cheated. Theatre, politics and neoliberalism [Conférence d’Olivier Neveux]

As part of the conferences of the Geneva Philosophy Group, “ Scenes of emancipation », Olivier Neveux will give a conference this Wednesday evening on “ political theater » contemporary and the contradictions that characterize it. It will be a question of theater and politics, in touch with the “ political theater “. The theater is now run by a “ political imperative “, that is to say an injunction to make remarks “ committed “, to defend a “ Cause “. However, these contemporary commitments are confronted with the commitments of the theatrical institutions themselves. In his various works, Neveux analyzes the contradictions of these commitments and thus, more broadly, the very idea of ​​politics. By questioning in particular the tensions between neoliberal ideology and contemporary theater commitments, it brings a radical critique to the worlds of theater, but also to our period and the struggles that characterize it.

Olivier Neveux published in particular “ Against political theater » published by La Fabrique (2019), as well as articles in the journal Période). Throughout his texts, he draws a theory of politics (or “politics”) which opens up avenues for fruitful reflection on the too often overused connection between art and politics.

Summary of the conference:

« Contemporary political theater is caught in a “political imperative”. The works created must claim, if not proclaim, that they are concerned with politics, exhibit its signs and link the stage to the world at all costs. This prescription does not, of course, have the same scope or the same value depending on whether it comes from public authorities, the cultural community or artists. A multitude of functions are available for this: raising awareness, denouncing, informing, documenting, etc., and… emancipating. The inflationary use of this last term raises questions. It even leaves one perplexed: what forms do these emancipatory scenes take, what are their presuppositions and what does the word “emancipation” then come to designate? ? But on the contrary, does this “commonplace” invalidate, irrevocably, the use of theater when it comes to emancipation? ? »

Scenes of emancipation | Philosophy conferences at the theater

Organized by the Geneva Philosophy Group

Wednesday November 27, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Galpon Theater

FREE ENTRANCE