Biopolitics and Displaced Bodies

Abstract

For a geographic “place” to become a “homeland” or “home”, a community sharing a common cultural background has to take root there. The acquired place then forms part of the “body” of that community. Displacement turns individuals and communities into fragile entities by cutting their connection with their “place” and depriving them of their histories and bodies. The concepts of “borders” and “biopolitics” have gained prominence in the context of liberal nation states. In the view of persistent banishment, forced displacement, and population exchange in many parts of the world, contemporary border enforcement based on biopolitics serves to maintain control over bodies. This article will analyse depictions of the phenomena of exile, migration, immigration, and refuge/asylum in modern art with reference to the concept of biopolitics.