The Political-Aesthetics of Participation: A Critical Reading of Iceland’s National Cultural Policy

Abstract

The French philosopher Jacques Rancière observes that policy is more about what is not there than what is claimed to be its subject matter. When stating how things are, or should be, we or whoever is in charge are not only choosing a direction/course for those issues that are on the agenda or stated in the policy, but rather affirming what is talked about, and more generally, seen or heard. Those who do not have power or a voice in the processes of politics not only have no say in the process; they are not seen, mentioned or heard. The text itself, be it legislation, a policy document or a political debate, is therefore more affirming in its omissions than its inclusions. This study of Iceland’s National Cultural Policy text contributes to the discussions about the role of participation rhetoric in cultural policy by examining the first ever formal cultural policy and the post-crash rationale of the country’s ethical and economic revival. Focusing primarily on the importance of cultural participation, the policy document is partly a critical assessment of the market-driven cultural policy of the previous decade and partly a justification for continuing high levels of state provision by referring to the “consensus-politics” of participation, access and involvement. However, within the administrative-representative logic of the text, the concept of participation escapes clarification or definition and almost becomes a parody or an empty slogan.

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