Transitioners

The Transitioners project starting point is the recent phenomenon of “Color Revolutions.” This very specific type of revolution began with the fall of the Soviet Empire. They occur as a rule in post-communist countries, but also in other territories marked by political authoritarianism. All these revolutions have points in common: the demand for democracy, economic liberalism and national independence. The leaders of these revolutions preach the development of the Western political and economic model in their countries. All these revolutions adopted a symbol which characterizes them, most of the time a color, sometimes a flower.

These last fifteen years, the list of the color revolutions has grown considerably. Some have succeeded in taking power, like the Rose Revolution in Georgia, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, the Bulldozer Revolution in Serbia or the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon. Others characterize a historical evolution of the society, like the Violet Revolution in Iraq or the Blue Revolution in Kuwait. Still other ones point out movements of opposition which have not yet succeeded in overthrowing the old government, like the Green Revolution in Azerbaijan, the Orange movement in Belarus, the Grape Revolution in Moldova, the Yellow Revolution in Mongolia, the Bashkir movement for an Orange Revolution in Bashkortostan (Russia) or the Farmers’ Revolution in Uzbekistan.

Often beginning with student movements and a massive rejection of dictatorial regimes, these revolutions are supported by the West. This support is not only diplomatic. For at least five years now, these revolutionary movements have been largely financed and trained by the Western “political development” funds, mainly American ones.

The Transitioners project does not intend to work on the “democratic” validity of these revolutions or on the specific context of their emergence. The central axis of this project is the bond between revolutionary mythology, traditionally associated with a radical and spontaneous transformation of the society, and its actual strategic planning. Although the Western democracies fought the revolution model for more than two centuries, it has now become a development principle for Western international interests. This transformation of the revolutionary model is the basis of the Transitioners project.

The Paris-based artist group Société Réaliste operates a revolutionary design-office assisting the preparation of political transformations by providing appropriate tools, strategies and advice. The Transitioners project takes the form of an installation, which is the Transitioners’ showroom itself, where the public can encounter the techniques and strategies required for achieving the company’s mission.