Serena Carbone's book explores art as community building

Serena Carbone's book 'L’arte in preda al possibile. Pratiche di costruzione di comunità' (Gli Ori, 2024) examines how contemporary art fosters community ties outside institutional spaces. Focusing on the 1990s, Carbone traces participatory and relational art practices, citing Jan Hoet's 1986 'Chambres d’Amis' exhibition in Ghent as a turning point. The volume highlights the Italian context, notably the Oreste collective, and draws on theoretical frameworks by Felix Guattari and Henri Lefebvre. Carbone argues that art's ethical and political dimensions are crucial for social transformation, especially in an era of inequality. The book includes an interview with the author, who discusses her research process and the importance of independent spaces.