Articulatory research and gender technological agencements: The case “Generatch”

Abstract

Constructionist perspectives, at considering social reality as a product of discursive practices, considered that it is possible and necessary to transform our current state of affairs. This understanding leads to a revitalization of politics. At the same time, the difficulty at defining a clear foundation for political action has lead to a new post-constructionist landscape where political action becomes a central element, despite the emphasis is different among the perspectives developed. This work explores the possibilities of developing a post-construcionist research using “articulation” as a concept that understands social reality as open to transformation at the same time that allows a political foundation for local political action/research. It uses the “action/research” project “Generatech” as an example, where two articulatory positions, free software and feminism, are involved in a temporary and precarious articulation in order to re-situate gender in present technological society. In this process, three types of interrelated practices are identified and associated with the notion of "code": technological, audiovisual and subjective codes.