On 9 October, a brown bag session explored the transformative role of civil disobedience within museum spaces. The session, led by Nataliya Tchermalykh, Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow at the University of Geneva, and Laura Bullón-Cassis, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, examined how large cultural institutions, such as museums, are evolving beyond their traditional roles as repositories of art and history. Instead, these institutions are being repurposed for acts of civil disobedience that challenge societal and cultural norms and spark media controversy and debate. Kiri Santer, Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern, acted as discussant.

Highlighting recent protests by climate, pro-Palestine, and feminist activists, the presenters discussed the historicity of museums as platforms for expressions of dissent and discontent. Through symbolic, often disruptive actions in highly visible spaces, protestors are redefining museums as stages for democratic participation and dialogue. Central to this discussion was an in-depth case study of performative protests within major European museums, where these serve as both aesthetic expressions and radical political statements. These actions, from feminist iconoclastic performances by Deborah de Robertis to ecological demonstrations by networks such as A22, interrogate the role of museums in democratic society by questioning where the boundaries of legality and legitimacy lie.

The session also invited attendees to reflect on whether conventional theoretical frameworks are equipped to address the legal and ethical tensions these acts raise, particularly as institutions like museums grapple with their complicity in issues such as colonialism and environmental degradation. As these performances continue to reshape our understanding of museums as spaces for public dialogue, they underscore a crucial aspect of democratic health at a time of political and social polarisation.

This event was organized as part of Geneva Democracy Week and the research project Youth Climate Activism and Local Institutions: Reframing Democratic Spaces at a Time of Polarisation,” providing an opportunity for participants to engage in discussions on an increasingly pivotal feature of contemporary democratic landscapes.