Ethnic distancing through aesthetics in Bosnia-Herzegovina: appraising the limits of art as a peacebuilding tool with a socio-psychological experiment
Author(s):
Rok Zupančič
Faris Kočan
Janja Vuga
Publication Year:
2021
Type:
journal article
Journal/Book Title
Southeast European and Black Sea Studies
Publisher
Editor(s):
Pages:
101-123
Volume:
21
Issue:
1
Abstract:
In this paper, we test a widely accepted assumption in literature, namely, that due to its universal(istic) and humanistic character aiming to transcend ethnic boundaries, art is an effective tool for overcoming inter-ethnic divisions, and further, that people consider art effective to this specific purpose. To test this assumption, we ran a socio-psychological experiment at different universities in Bosnia–Herzegovina. Students were asked to assess the aesthetic value of the selected art installation, but were given different names, sur names and city of the artist, since names and places tend to indicate ethnicity in Bosnia–Herzegovina. We hypothesized that the stu dents would attach greater value to the work of an artist perceived to belong to their ethnic group than that of one thought to belong to another group. The results revealed that the artist’s perceived ethnicity did not play a role in evaluating the value of the work presented. The findings demonstrate that the ‘the other’ in Bosnia–Herzegovina is not always perceived through an ethno-political lens as the literature often suggests. Furthermore, it found that art per se is not necessarily perceived as an effective tool for bridging interethnic divides.
Citation (Chicago Author-Date):
Zupančič, Rok, Faris Kočan, and Janja Vuga. 2021. “Ethnic Distancing through Aesthetics in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Appraising the Limits of Art as a Peacebuilding Tool with a Socio-Psychological Experiment.” Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 21 (1): 101–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683857.2020.1867410.