VISTO, LOGO EXISTO: UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO SOBRE IDENTIDADES DE ESTUDANTES NO AMBIENTE VIRTUAL

Abstract

This research examined how the relations between fashion and historical awareness are signified and established in times of cyberculture. Fashion is understood as an important social phenomenon especially on the experiences of young students, once they are in a stage of identity (re)definition. The appropriation of fashion by the students was a fruitful theme for the collection of data that allows meaningful reflections on historical awareness and social identity, among other aspects. It is stated that fashion establishes practices and behaviors, allowing the study of different types of functions and intentions, positions and historical understandings through the clothing archetype; it is, therefore, an empirical demonstration of historical awareness. In this research The Sims game and the creation of avatars were used, with the purpose of understanding the mobilization of historical awareness in the construction and perception of the aesthetic of young students’ clothes. The theoretical-methodological framework of this work is based on the concept of ultrashort history (or narrative), which integrates the concept of historical awareness supported by Jörn Rüsen. The concepts of fashion of Pierre Bourdieu, of cyberculture of Pierre Levy, of identity of Zygmunt Bauman and Stuart Hall, were also used in the analyzes developed in this research.Thus, in this research indications that express the way in which the young people dress reflect upon their identities and mobilize their historical consciences were found, elaborating narratives based on clothes as a summary of goals, causes and unexpected, established in a temporal connection.The drafting of avatars by youngsters showed forms of domination (social, physical and symbolic), beyond being a locus of manifestation of social belonging, and consequently of the exercise of symbolic violence, prejudice, stereotypes, and acceptance. The youngsters are guided by aesthetic frameworks, with massive significance of social behaviors and rules.