Between the Avantgarde and the Everyday: Subversive Politics in Europe from 1957 to the Present (Protest, Culture and Society)

The wave of anti-authoritarian political activity associated with the term “1968” can by no means be confined under the rubric of “protest,” understood narrowly in terms of street marches and other reactions to state initiatives. Indeed, the actions generated in response to “1968” frequently involved attempts to elaborate resistance within the realm of culture generally, and in the arts in particular. This blurring of the boundary between art and politics was a characteristic development of the political activism of the postwar period. This volume brings together a group of essays concerned with the multifaceted link between culture and politics, highlighting lesser-known case studies and opening new perspectives on the development of anti-authoritarian politics in Europe from the 1950s to the fall of Communism and beyond. Contents List of Figures and Tables Foreword Introduction Part I Avant-Gardes Chapter 1 The Gruppe Spur Art as a Revolutionary Medium during the Cold War Chapter 2 In Pursuit of the Invisible Revolution Sigma in the Netherlands, 1966–1968 Part II Spectacles Chapter 3 “The Brigade Is Everywhere” Violence and Spectacle in the British Counterculture Chapter 4 Corpse Polemics The Third World and the Politics of Gore in 1960s West Germany Part III Sounds Chapter 5 Greek Communist Youth Identities and Rock Music in the Late 1970s Chapter 6 The Voice of the Other America African-American Music and Political Protest in the German Democratic Republic Part IV Subcultures Chapter 7 From England with Hate Skinheads and “Nazi Rock” in Great Britain and Germany Chapter 8 Punk Jihads Immigrants, Subcultures and Political Violence, 1955–2001 Part V Spaces Chapter 9 Red State, Golden Youth Student Culture and Political Protest in 1960s Poland Chapter 10 In the Shadow of the Wall Urban Space and Everyday Life in Kreuzberg Part VI Networks Chapter 11 Between Confrontation and Frivolity? Gender and Militancy in the Czech Alter-globalization Movement Chapter 12 Protesting Bodies and Bodily Protest “Th inking through the Body” in Social Movement Studies Chapter 13 Postmodern Protest? Minimal Techno and Multitude Conclusion Notes Select Bibliography Notes on Contributors Index