Narrations of a nation: the “art of the possible”

Apresenta-se a importancia política e econ mica de vários projetos de artes os sul-africanos em têxteis e reciclagem nos quais as circunstancias pessoais geram um ativismo social. Exemplos de ativismo fomentam a transforma o social, apesar de n o mostrar a estridência de artistas engajados acadêmica ou conceitualmente. A mais marcante destas iniciativas foi realizada pelo Intuthuko Project. O resultado foi uma interpreta o comovente do movimento contra o apartheid, do processo de reconcilia o e da celebra o de dez anos de democracia através das imagens bordadas pela cooperativa. Conclui-se que artistas acadêmicos podem estar “entre” territórios culturalmente distintos e colaborar com artes os auto-didatos.This paper presents the political and economical relevance of several projects from South-african artisans, particularly in textiles and recycling fields, in which some personal circunstances are used as tool to create social activism. Examples of this movement are shown as engines for social transformation, despite the fact that trend is not taking ressonance among artists academically or conceptually. The most relevant action in this regard is theIntuthuko Project. The result was a touching interpretation against apartheid, in the process of conciliation and the celebration of ten years of democracy throughout images produced by a cooperative of embroiders. In conclusion the paper shows academic artists working in “between” culturally distinct territories, collaborating with enthusiastic artisans.