Refiguration

Refiguration is a term used in various fields, including art, literature, and social sciences, to describe the process of reinterpreting or re-envisioning something that already exists. It involves taking familiar forms, ideas, or structures and transforming them into something new, often with a different meaning or purpose. This can involve a literal alteration of a physical object or a conceptual shift in understanding.

In art, refiguration might involve an artist taking a classical sculpture and reimagining it in a modern material, or reinterpreting a well-known myth in a contemporary setting. The original form serves as a reference point, but the new work offers a fresh perspective, challenging viewers to see the familiar in an unfamiliar light. This process often engages with themes of memory, history, and cultural evolution.

In literature, refiguration can manifest as a retelling of a classic story with a different protagonist or a divergent plot. It can also involve taking established literary tropes and subverting them to create new narratives. The effect is to explore the enduring power of certain stories or themes while also demonstrating their adaptability and capacity for reinvention.

Socially and politically, refiguration can refer to the transformation of existing institutions, power structures, or societal norms. This might involve questioning established hierarchies, deconstructing dominant narratives, or proposing alternative ways of organizing society. The core idea remains the re-examination and alteration of existing frameworks to achieve new understandings or outcomes.