Liverpool 08 and the performativity of identity

Abstract

This paper considers how Liverpool's year of European Capital of Culture (ECoC) with a focus on altering the image and perceptions of place allowed a heightened sense of awareness of local identity. Drawing on data gathered through ethnographic approaches at a small-scale arts workshop in the city centre and through considering visual imagery, stereotypes and myths of the city, the paper argues that image and identity are relationally different. Using theories of performativity and performance it finds that local people, due to the rebranding of the city and concerted efforts of promoting Liverpool during this year, are able to cite aspects of their cultural identity whilst leaving space for creativity and improvisation. The emergent process of identity performance and imaging a city are able to reflect upon one another creating a nuanced understanding of lived identities in the midst of a large-scale cultural event. ResumenEste trabajo considera cómo el año de Liverpool como Capital Europea de la Cultura (ECoC) con un interés en alterar la imagen y las percepciones de la ciudad permitieron un sentido más elevado de la identidad local. Inspirado en los datos recogidos a través de aproximaciones etnográficas en workshops de arte a pequeña escala en el centro de la ciudad y mediante la consideración de imágenes visuales, estereotipos y mitos de la ciudad, este trabajo argumenta que la imagen y la identidad son relacionalmente diferentes. Utilizando las teorías de performativity y performance se halla que los ciudadanos locales, debido a la nueva marca de la ciudad y a los coordinados esfuerzos de promover Liverpool durante este año, son capaces de citar aspectos de su identidad cultural mientras dejan espacio para la creatividad y la improvisación. El emergente proceso de ejecución de la identidad e imaginar una ciudad son capaces de mostrar bajo una luz poco favorable unos a otros creando una comprensión matizada de las identidades vividas en medio de un evento cultural a gran escala. RésuméCet article étudie la manière dont l'année au cours de laquelle Liverpool était la Capitale Européenne de la Culture et dont l'objectif était de rehausser l'image de marque et les perceptions gardées sur cette ville a mis en lumière le sens d'identité locale. En s'appuyant sur les données recueillies par le biais des approches ethnographiques appliquées aux activités d'un atelier artistique de petite envergure qui a eu lieu au centre ville et en prenant en compte l'image visuelle, les stéréotypes et les mythes de la ville, cette étude conclue que les relations entre l'image et l'identité sont différentes. En recourant aux théories performatives et de performance, cet article démontre, grâce à la recréation de l'image de marque de la ville et aux efforts concertés pour la promotion de Liverpool au cours de cette année, que la population locale est capable de nommer des aspects de leur identité culturelle tout en garantissant l'espace pour la créativité et l'improvisation. Le processus émergent de la performance identitaire et la...

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