An Analysis of Difference Becoming in Cultural Creative Clusters Under the Perspective of Assemblage: Taking Shanghai Tianzifang and “Nanjing 1865” as Examples
Abstract：
There are such problems as insufficient creativity, spatial homogeneity, and similar research on current cultural creative clusters. These problems are related to the fact that identity ontology is unable to deal with the problem of difference-becoming. Based on Deleuze-Guattarian concept of assemblage, this paper proposes a different interpretation. Firstly, the paper criticizes the “clustering myth” and points out the gellable spatiality of cultural practices. It then goes on to explain Deleuze-Guattarian conceptual framework of assemblage with such terms as rhizomatic assemblage, arborescent assemblage, abstract machine, etc., and their connections with difference becoming. The paper points out a rhizomatic assemblage is a social field maintaining the productive energy of non-identity. Finally, it selects two typical cultural creative clusters, Tianzifang in Shanghai and “Nanjing 1865”, as the comparable research objects, briefly describes their development process, identified the abstract machine of overcoding, flight lines of mutation and deterritorialisation, and analyzes the promotion and limitation of rhizomatic and arborescent assemblage on cultural and creative activities. It reflects on the inefficiency of the fine-quantified index system which has been broadly used as regulating means for cultural creative clusters. However, this essentialist way may eventually throttle the creativity and spatial differences of cultural creative clusters.