Abstract
Artistic methods and anthropological practice  

Can art speak for social justices and intercultural dialogue in increasingly fragmented, economically polarized and ethnically diverse urban spaces? Taking example of an artistic event organized by the Reykjavik City Library as part of the Icelandic Language Day, I will discuss the potential of applying artistic methods to facilitate inclusive public spaces that allow for accommodating marginalized voices. The event consisted of five artistic (predominantly literary) performances delivered by foreign-born artists and it focused on emotions accompanying new language acquisition, developing multilingual subjectivity and living in non-native language environment that implies unequal power relations. While giving attention to language as a matter of emotional and artistic inquiry, I reflect on art as a way of communication beyond languages. Furthermore, I consider socially engaged artistic practices as a subject for anthropological inquiry on the one hand and a tool of anthropological practice.  

Keywords: artistic methods, inclusive public spaces, language, Iceland