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Abstract
This paper takes as its point of departure the Autonomous Cultural Centre Metelkova City (AKC Metelkova mesto), a squatted area of more than twelve thousand square meters that is today recognised as a self-organised autonomous zone, located at the heart of Ljubljana. After the partition of Yugoslavia, the complex of ex-military headquarters of the Yugoslav Army remained as a remnant of the past. However, its social function soon mutated when it became an artistic hub, hosting activities of various cultural and non-governmental organisations. Furthermore, it has established its own set of rules, declaring a strict policy of non-tolerance for racism, homophobia, sexism, and ageism. This paper aims to explore the juxtaposition between Metelkova as a bubble space with its unique set of rules, fostering a system of self-governance, and the greater context of authority within which it is embedded. While it refuses to be submissive to the overarching functional structures in place, Metelkova is forced to continuously navigate the balance between individual freedom of its users and the need for a clear system of self-governance, enabling it to be a safe communal space. The purpose of this critical analysis is to unravel multiple layers of the interrelated relationship between Metelkova’s squatting status, leaving the space and its community in a limbo of constant uncertainty, and the hope for utopia, expressed in its system of self-governance. Building upon Ntounis and Kanellopoulou (2017)’s proposition of place branding as a key element in normalisation of legally ambiguous autonomous zones such as Metelkova or similar Christiania in Denmark, as well as Mouffe’s understanding of critical cultural and artistic practices as vital for the development of agonistic public spaces (2013, 91-93), I argue that the squatting element that defines the continuous (re-)creation of Metelkova is intrinsic for its development as an agonistic public space.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - Dec 2021 |
Event | XI Graduate Conference in Culture Studies: The Cultural Politics of Hope - Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal Duration: 29 Nov 2021 → 4 Dec 2021 https://fch.lisboa.ucp.pt/events/xi-graduate-conference-culture-studies-cultural-politics-hope-61956?fbclid=IwAR0Zn7AzhKyJzoBmccHuJfq5grggnrNldoteloE5Kb-AhU2pZKHzp1Certo |
Conference
Conference | XI Graduate Conference in Culture Studies |
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Country/Territory | Portugal |
City | Lisbon |
Period | 29/11/21 → 4/12/21 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Metelkova
- Squat
- Public space
- Hope
- Tolerance
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Hope in the Squatted Space: The Case of Metelkova
Kovič, A. (Speaker)
2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation