Edward Elgar Publishing Arts, Heritage and Performative Politics

This pioneering book analyzes the intersection of arts, heritage and performative politics, challenging traditional distinctions between these disciplines. Highlighting the value of art-based approaches to heritage research, it outlines diverse artistic practices to expand the boundaries of the field. Departing from the conventional notion of heritage as a static artefact, the book reveals how art heritage functions as a living political performance, exploring its manifestation in artistic practices ranging from music, dance, performance and poetry to rural graffiti and neon signs. Authors draw on detailed case studies and personal experiences to examine the dynamic, playful and experimental ways in which art heritage shapes individual and collective identities, underscoring the importance of viewing culture holistically. Ultimately, this perceptive book fosters new analyses and debates on the performative politics of art heritage, presenting art as an integral part of the heritage meaning-making process. Interdisciplinary in scope, this book is an enlightening read for students and scholars of human geography, cultural sociology, heritage studies, communication studies and the wider humanities. It will also interest those in the art and heritage communities seeking either a theoretical foundation for understanding art heritage, or practical inspiration for their work.