The project is to study past and present approaches to migration through cultural and artistic representations collected in several linguistic areas.
The collection and analysis of various artistic narratives (theatre, poetry, cinema, photography etc.) on migration in French, Spanish, English and Japanese will offer separate views from the more commonly circulated economic and political discourses.
We insist on the importance of collecting our material in several geographical areas, as far as South America and Asia, since the phenomenon goes far beyond the European sphere. We consider that the many cultural responses to the recent migration flows can be helping Europe to reassess its position. We will also explore the cultural representation of migration in several « source » countries as local artists are now taking on the subject.
Our choice to focus on artistic narratives is very important to distance ourselves from the immediacy of common journalistic communication. The challenges of migration and refugees is at the top of many political agendas, but few, if any, are addressing it from a cultural narrative or cultural rights perspective.
It is well known that writers, filmmakers, musicians, dancers etc. tackle complexity and draw new strength from stories that question a changing society. They come with surprising narratives beyond the political and economic discourses.
We say that art contributes to public life. It deploys a necessary and meaningful space – away from the violent pressure of private, religious or economic interests. And its non-verbal dimension – generally undervalued – helps break down consensus, expose new perspectives and imagine different forms of action.
Our hypothesis is that the cross-study of multiple artistic narratives on migration is likely to induce the conditions of care, the language learning of migrants and decision-making in Europe. Run by an interdisciplinary group calling media, art and social sciences, this project’s plan is to examine migrant narrativity in order to develop dialogue in host societies between migrants, the wider public and policy makers.
In terms of education and training, it will help set-up an educational programme aimed at migrants and non-migrants in association with teachers and local charities. The aim is to show that such a method of action, based on artists’ views and art workshops with migrant families, unaccompanied minors and primary & secondary school-age children is likely to act as an accelerator of social change. We plan to design a model based on artistic practice and to use it as a reflexive and constructive process based on variations and interpretations to support inclusion policies.
The idea is to offer an approach of art as a paradigm, as a method and as a factor of integration and education. I will illustrate the role of stories in helping seeing the world systemically – looking at the elements, interconnections, and wider purposes – in order to make sense and change a system.