Western Im/Mobility : LIGNA's Radioballet, Western Transit Zones and the Public Sphere

Title data

Ernst, Wolf-Dieter:
Western Im/Mobility : LIGNA's Radioballet, Western Transit Zones and the Public Sphere.
In: Amine, Khalid ; Roberson, Georges F. (Hrsg.): Intermediality, Performance and the Public Sphere : Selected papers from recent meetings of the Tangier International Conferences. - Denver : Collaborative Media International (CMI) , 2014 . - pp. 118-126 . - (International Collaboration Series )
ISBN 978-0-9824409-7-1

Project information

Abstract in another language

Am Beispiel einer ortsspezifischen Inszenierung der Gruppe LIGNA auf dem Leipziger Hauptbahnhof geht dieser Aufsatz der Frage nach, wie öffentliche Räume performativ erschlossen werden. Der Autor stellt die besondere Bedeutung von Stillstand ins Zentrum seiner Überlegungen. Warum erregt ein stillgestellter Körper im öffentlichen Raum Aufmerksamkeit und wie reflektiert dieser Einsatz des Körpers konventionelle Wahrnehmungs- und Verhaltensmuster?

Abstract in another language

This paper seeks to discuss the work of the performance group LIGNA with regard to the issue of im/mobility. LIGNA – like many other western performance groups – use mobile media to organize smart mobs and other interventions into the public sphere. Concentrating on the transit zones of western consumer culture, i.e. train stations, pedestrian areas and tourist sites; the group draws into question both the regulations of media and of bodily conduct.
Though historically considered as open to the public, transit zones nowadays are in many cases public-private property, controlled by surveillance systems and security guards. Behavior within this sphere is subject to regulations that are enforced predominantly to secure commercial interests. According to Rancière, these places are restricted as venues for articulating political concerns: usually (ordinary) citizens do not consider them appropriate for political rallies or political encounters; instead, the people prefer to enjoy the opportunities they afford to deliberately move and shop around.