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Utopia, Hope and Negativity

Alina Saggerer

Comments

Something essential is lacking. The crises and complexities of our present – wars, climate change, threats to democracy, human rights violations – make holding onto hope difficult. How can we build trust in progressive change and imagine the world differently without falling into naïve optimism or paralyzing pessimism? And what role do theater, dance, and performance play in this quest? The course will explore the complex interplay of the notions of utopia, hope and negativity by combining theoretical reflection with the analysis of concrete performances. We will first approach the notions of utopia, hope, and negativity theoretically, discussing key texts from Theodor W. Adorno, Ernst Bloch, Fredric Jameson alongside queer and Black perspectives from José Esteban Muñoz, Jill Dolan, Calvin L. Warren, Juana María Rodríguez, and Bini Adamczak. Building on these discussions, we will analyze specific performances and ask how performative practices enable utopian thinking, negotiate hope as an aesthetic and political category, and productively engage with critical negativity. What potential do theater and performance hold in dark times to imagine radical change that can be desired and pursued? The class will be taught in English and German. Participants should have an interest in engaging with theoretical questions. close

12 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Mon, 12:00 - 14:00 12 Class schedule

Mon, 2025-04-14 12:00 - 14:00

Lecturers:
Alina Saggerer