TRANS ARTIVISM IN THE POST-YUGOSLAV SPACE

Abstract

This text explores the field of trans artivism in the post-Yugoslav space as a platform of social and political intervention. Trans artivism is approached as a form of political art, but also of social action with a potential to enable and support social and political mechanisms of change. In other words, trans artivism is a hybrid modality of artistic and activist work enacted as a strategy of resistance to transphobia. In the post-Yugoslav space, trans artivism often appears as the most potent mode of social intervention left for the trans community. I explore both artistic practices made by trans artists and trans-related art which uses trans-related elements and approaches. The analysed examples are illustrative of the attitude that the social majority has towards gender minorities as well as of the attitudes that the trans individuals themselves have towards their own bodies, identities, and the wider trans community.