Olivier Dabène

Olivier Dabène is a researcher whose work bridges political science and urban studies, focusing on the intersection of street art and democracy in Latin America. His 2020 book Street Art and Democracy in Latin America (Palgrave Macmillan) analyzes how street art contributes to democratic expression, urban citizenship, and collaborative governance across cities like São Paulo, Oaxaca, Valparaíso, Havana, and Bogotá. Through a comparative framework, he explores how marginalized voices use street art to challenge social boundaries and reimagine democratic participation in contexts marked by inequality and political repression.

For Dabène, street art functions as a democracy of emotions, fostering public debate and empowering residents through visible, polysemic political messaging. His research highlights the regulatory dynamics between artists and authorities, emphasizing how governance structures either enable or suppress urban cultural innovation. While the book does not list specific awards or student mentorship, his earlier 2006 study on São Paulo and rap music underscores a long-standing commitment to analyzing subaltern political practices in Latin American cities.