Art and Activism in Madrid's Spanish-speaking Diaspora Communities

Catalog description

In this course, students will apply a critical lens to the practice of art-making and its intersection with activism and social mobilization, focusing on the Spanish-speaking diaspora in Madrid. Engaging with contemporary practices that explore the human body through the lens of art and activism, we will critically examine how identity—shaped by socially constructed systems of gender, race, sexuality, and ability—is represented, contested, and transformed. By exploring how these intersections manifest in artistic practices, we gain insight into the societal structures that shape our bodies, while challenging dominant narratives and imagining new forms of resistance and empowerment. Through a combination of theoretical texts, co-curricular activities, case studies, and hands-on exercises, we will investigate how art practices by diverse diasporas in Madrid challenge traditional definitions of art and propose more just ways to inhabit the city. This course invites you to become part of a transformative process, where art becomes a powerful tool for social change, pushing the boundaries of what is possible both in the studio and in society.