Thinking City through Aesthetic Citizenship: China as Method

Abstract

Aesthetics, once rooted in the realm of fine arts, has transcended its origins to become a political term, denoting power dynamics shaped by diverse subjectivities in aesthetic experiences. In the urban context, it manifests in various forms, spanning art, architecture, infrastructure, commodities, codes, and conducts. Citizenship, intricately linked with politics, economics, culture, and social aspects of urban life, serves as a lens to scrutinize the interplay between state governance and individual subjectivity. This paper aims to unite aesthetics and citizenship, delving into how aesthetics in the urban space inform and shape political subjectivity through the production and reproduction of aesthetic elements. The discussion unfolds in three key sections. First, it explores various forms of aesthetics in the urban context. It then navigates the intricate connections between these forms and citizenship, elucidating their roles as representations or redistributions of established societal norms. Focusing on the distinctive context of urban China, the study underscores the practice of aesthetics in this locale and its profound relationship with Chinese citizenship. Despite its nature as a literature review, this paper actively contributes to ongoing debates surrounding 'China as Method.' By elucidating how aesthetics shapes the production and performance of citizenship, particularly in the urban context of China, this study provides insights into the enactment of urban politics and its impact on civic individuals. The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of China, aspiring to contribute to the broader discourse on how China can be incorporated into urban studies to inspire further knowledge production.