Appropriation of public space through the artistic workshop: an approach to children’s political subjectivities in the neighborhood of Brisas del Volador (Ciudad Bolivar, Bogota)

Abstract

The article explores children’s political subjectivities from their social and urban participation in the neighborhood of Brisas del Volador (Ciudad Bolivar, Bogota), within the framework of the study on the experience of children and teenagers growing
up in cities, Growing Up in Cities III. It is the third version of an original study by the famous urbanist Kevin Lynch in the 1970’s, and a second version by Louise Chawla in 1990. This version is led by the teachers of the Deakin University (Australia), and
it is developed in 16 countries and 24 cities. The research in Bogota was carried out in Brisas del Volador. Using artistic methods, the recognition and mobilization of their appropriation of urban space, as well as their political subjectivities in terms of
identity construction and positioning in relation to their environment, was proposed. As a result, we found that the expressive power of the methodology based on the artistic workshop facilitates a reflection on environmental conditions, appropriation
of public space and involvement in the solutions to the problems that concern them. The children of Brisas del Volador actively construct social meanings and participate with enthusiasm to transform their environment. They feel differentially able to influence,
according to the complexity of the problems, but never anchored in impotence. On the contrary, they permanently cultivate hope.