Abstract
Peacebuilders started to look for alternative conflict transformation methods because it was revealed that the traditional approaches cannot fully address the deep-rooted socio-psychological causes of conflict. This chapter discusses the possibility of using art as a tool in conflict transformation by drawing from Lederach’s definition of conflict transformation and Aristotle’s concept of catharsis. Four different examples have been used to highlight how artistic activities and aesthetic experiences address some key underlying causes of conflict such as: trauma, miscommunication, social exclusion and dehumanisation. After the careful examination of those case studies, it was revealed that art can be used as a tool in conflict transformation because it transforms attitudes and perceptions by producing a cathartic effect on both artists and audiences. This study is important in the peace studies field because it provides a new approach through which conflict transformation can be pursued in order to prevent the (re) occurrence of violence.
Cross-Cultural Dialogue as a Conflict Management Strategy. Edited by J. Martín Ramírez, and Gracia Abad. © 2018 Springer International. Submitted: November, 24 2017; Accepted: December 30, 2017.
Author Note: This paper is the shortened version of author’s dissertation which was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Peace and Development at Leeds Beckett University in 2016.
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Popescu, I. (2018). Aesthetics of Peace: The Role of Art in Conflict Transformation. In: Ramírez, J., Abad-Quintanal, G. (eds) Cross-Cultural Dialogue as a Conflict Management Strategy. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77231-8_9
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