Art, agency and power effects in East Timor: provocations

Abstract

The connection between art, agency and power effects in East Timor is an epis-temological equation that entails interdisciplinary approaches. Departing from an anthropological perspective, this introduction seeks to map potential methodo-logical and theoretical questions for discussing such equation. One also outlines registers and historical and contemporary genealogies of artistic practices in order to suggest clues and challenges to be pursued by further studies in the area. The analysis of the articles which this dossier is made up of allows to discuss the development of political appropriation of art by various actors, revealing the emergence of new orientalisms and mediation processes, both local and international, in the making of art worlds in East Timor.