Trickster Strategies in the Artists’ and Curatorial Practice

"Trickster Strategies in the Artists’ and Curatorial Practice" is a compilation of 34 studies developed in collaboration between the Institute of Art History at the University of Wrocław and the Polish Institute of World Art Studies. The trickster figure, whether seen as a rogue, deceiver, or simply a mischievous character, holds significant importance in the art world. In today's context, trickster tactics are particularly effective in unmasking power dynamics within post-communist and post-colonial societies. Although the book does not attempt to provide a comprehensive account of trickster narratives—from ancient cultural icons like Egypt's Seth or Greece's Hermes to 20th-century thinkers such as Claude Levi-Strauss or Sigmund Freud—it does explore the impact of ongoing historical changes on art and its narratives. The various chapters delve into the trickster's role in political transformations, its presence in outdoor activism, and its influence in curatorial performances, revealing how tricksters often embody more than just artists and curators; they become narrators themselves. Furthermore, the work explores the intersection of art history and self-awareness among art historians, discussing how reinterpreting familiar images through new narratives can highlight previously overlooked aspects.While the trickster doesn't provide concrete solutions to academic formalism, it adeptly exposes hypocrisy and fuels contemporary debates, questioning established norms and prejudice-laden value systems. This ambivalent figure compels us to acknowledge the dynamics within the established order, ultimately shedding light on its intricacies.