MB 1 – Formations of Power

Democracy is more than institutions and processes—it is a lived, embodied practice that shapes our collective existence. Formations of Power – Performing Democracy explores democracy’s material and performative dimensions, asking: How do we experience democracy as a way of living together? Who gets to participate in shaping society, and whose voices are heard? Through interdisciplinary artistic and design interventions— spanning theater, dance, and augmented reality—the performance program during the Frankfurt Day’s of Democracy in 2023 critically examined the tensions between individual expression and collective political action, questioning the limits of representation and the fatigue of neoliberal self-optimization. Formations of Power positions artistic expression as a vital force in shaping democratic life, ensuring that democracy remains a continuous, participatory act rather than a static ideal.

ISBN 978-3-00-082242-1