The Politics of Imagination: Surrealism as a Revolutionary Project

Michał Rauszer, Institute of Slavic Studies, Polish Academy of Science

Pořádá Oddělení pro studium moderní české filosofie

The aim of this presentation is to show how practice based on the imagination can influence social change. My point of departure is the works of well-known Czech surrealist Vratislav Effenberger. In his writings, he shows that the imagination, as a part of the area of art, is able to transform our social reality if expanded to all social and cultural practices. During my presentation, I would like to have a look at the "ontology" of the imaginary both in the early avant-garde movements and their "revolutions," and in the so-called linguistic turn. The crucial part of my analysis will be focused on the question of how the imaginary can be a part of the reproduction of class society and how this reproduction can be transcended. With regard to the former (the reproduction of class society), I will refer to the reaction to the present refugee crisis; with regard to the latter (the transcendence of that reproduction), I will refer to the work of the imaginary in the Zapatist revolution.

The lecture will be given under the auspices of the Josef Dobrovský Fellowship.