In his book Le spectateur émancipé Jacques Rancière reveals how the idea that in our consumer culture audiences are bound to passively absorb art and culture, has led contemporary artists and theatre makers to a variety of attempts to activate their audiences. The spectator would thus become an 'emancipated' member of the cultural community. However, in the book Rancière brilliantly analyses this thesis and offers a radically different perspective on authorship.
At De Balie Jacques Rancière will discuss politics and engagement in the arts and the role of the spectator with choreographer Mårten Spångberg. The discussion is led by curator Steven ten Thije.
Jacques Rancière is one of today’s leading French philosophers. He has published on issues ranging from politics and the heritage of Marxism, history, literature, film and aesthetics. Rancière is an emeritus professor of philosophy at the Université Paris 8.