Quand on se rassemble en ville

Abstract

Towns and cities lend themselves to the analysis of forms of co-existence (“l’exister ensemble”). Through an anthropological analysis of a number of contemporary urban gatherings, this article seeks to grasp the logics underpinning the production of collectives where the effect of gathering together can be examined in terms of the “ephemeral collective”. The article focuses on two examples of urban Parisian ephemeral collectives: on the one hand, an annual event, Paris Plage, which has become emblematic of the festive detournement of urban public space; on the other, micro-events, namely picnics, involving a more fragmented appropriation of certain spaces in the city. The analysis highlights the momentary inversion and transgression of social spaces and relations as a typically urban euphoric value.

Keywords

• Festival
• Ritual
• Public Space
• Picnic
• Paris Plage
• Urbanity