Socially engaged art has begun to take a more prominent role in activism for the urban poor of India’s cities. Such projects present a solution to the challenge of attaining rights, proper...Show moreSocially engaged art has begun to take a more prominent role in activism for the urban poor of India’s cities. Such projects present a solution to the challenge of attaining rights, proper resources and infrastructure for livability. Existing research examines criminal acts and violent protests as a primary method of achieving such goals, however, this paper will instead claim that crime and violence are instead the result of lacking these basic rights. In doing so, this paper will also analyze the installation artwork On Stage: Sathenagar Here as a multi-disciplinary version of socially engaged art which directly acknowledges these gaps in current research as well as a more effective method of representing the urban poor and its political effects. Through the use of architectural reconstructions, inclusion of Sathenagar residents, and employing participative methods, the artwork offers a literal stage for the political representation of the urban poor.Show less
