„Change life! ‚Change society!‘ These precepts mean nothing without the production of an appropriate space. … new social relationships call for a new space, and vice versa.“ Henri Lefebvre
The individual themes are to be understood as the basis for collaboration between the project groups. The focal points are adjusted and focused depending on the institutional partners and artists.
Concept by Michael Kress, 2023/24
I. CRITICAL SUSTAINABILITY IN ART
How can sustainability be conducted as a critical discourse? How can the transformation of processes that have so far been based on fossil fuels and materials be considered? How can art and design be decarbonized? How can art provide ideas of sustainability? What artistic narrative can shape the future? How can aesthetic practice be understood without the production of material growth?
II. HOLISTIC URBANITY – SOCIAL-CENTERED TRANSFORMATION ART
How do we want to live together in urban agglomerations? How are spaces of participation defined? Who owns the public space? Who owns the city? How is social permeability in cities made possible through planning? How can artistic practice resist gentrification processes? How do marginalized groups become visible? How can ownership and possession of the town be rethought? Does art create a public sphere? Who has access to art and education?
III. PARTICIPATION & COLLABORATIVE DEMOCRACY
How can democracy be conceived outside of itself? How do we understand authorship? Is there a collective art? Is Western art totalitarian? Can politics learn from art? How can decision-making processes become more visible? Can art be democratic? What is art in social space? How can art become participatory? How can aesthetic practice appeal to people who are not interested in art? How can a public sphere be created that is directed at individuals? Do we need a culture of being identical? Is beauty a dictatorship?
IV. DIVERSITY, OPEN INCLUSION AND SELF-DETERMINATION
Is diversity a fashion? Can art by people with unique talents be seen as art? Should we talk about art by people with disabilities? Is there accessibility in art? Is the legend of artists exclusive? Am I also crazy if I make art? Who owns the right to self-image? Should artists have all image rights in the workshop? What art is visible and why? Should there be museums for diverse, inclusive art? Does art hinder us? Is art emancipatory?
V. ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL PARTICIPATION
Is art for everyone in everyday life? Who and what represents art and culture? Is there a right to culture? Who defines the boundaries of culture? Does art provide cultural identity? Do we need cultural identities? Is art a foodstuff? How are art and culture communicated? Do we want to understand art and culture in the global South? As a Western artist, can I take in everything from other cultures? What does art give? What does art take?
VI. RIGHT OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Will we be born as artists? Will we die as artists? Can I unlearn artistic talent? How can artists only start in old age? What do we learn when we are taught art? How can access to art practice be provided worldwide? Is everyone creative? Can art be learned? Is art a universal language? Should art and culture be core competencies in education? How do we want to teach art? How can art become a political issue worldwide?
VII. UNIVERSAL CULTURAL EMPATHY (EMPATHETIC INTELLIGENCE VS AI)
Is art empathic? How can our grief learn from other cultures of mourning? Are artists compassionate per se? Can art heal wounds? Can I feel the suffering of strangers? Do we have empathic traditions? Is culture a medicine? Is art marginalizing us? Does art prevent us from naming global inequality? Is there comfort through art? What gives art hope?