<nettime-ann> CONF: Exit or Activism? Symposium on Sustainability and Contemporary Art CEU Budapest

["Maja & Reuben Fowkes" <fowkes@translocal.org>]

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Symposium on Sustainability and Contemporary Art: Exit or Activism?
Central European University Budapest
29 February 2008
www.translocal.org/sustainability

This symposium investigates the current state of thinking about 
sustainability in the light of the continuing mutations of post-Fordist 
global capitalism and its devastating effects on the environment, society 
and the individual. The axis of discussion will revolve around the strategic 
possibilities for resistance offered by tactical withdrawal versus 
relentless activism through contemporary art. On the one hand, the dilemma 
gives rise to a conscious decision to slow down, decline to participate, to 
seek a way out, or 'exit' as envisioned by Paulo Virno, or on the other, 
there is a passion to overcome political exhaustion and confront head on 
rampant injustice, environmental degradation and lack of liberty.

SPEAKERS

Heath Bunting is a co-founder of both net.art and sport-art movements and is 
banned for life from entering the USA for his anti-GM work. He is currently 
preparing works examining borders and identity to be shown at both the 
Institute of Contemporary Arts London and Tate Modern in 2008.

Emanuel Danesch is based in Vienna. As a poly-media artist in the broadest 
sense his projects and documentary films cover issues of cultural, 
economical and political transformation. At the symposium he will present 
his new film LiveSafelyinEurope.

Maja and Reuben Fowkes are curators and art historians who deal with issues 
of memory, ecology and translocal exchange.  They have curated and written 
extensively on the issue of contemporary art and sustainability.

Ivan Ladislav Galeta is an artist and head of the multi-media department at 
the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. He is a noted avant-garde film maker, 
conceptual artist and explorer of sustainable practices.  He will present 
his NOART EARTH DAY project at the symposium.

Gene Ray is a critic and theorist living in Berlin and working at the 
intersections of art and radical politics. He is a member of the Radical 
Culture Research Collective, author of Terror and the Sublime in Art and 
Critical Theory (2005) and editor of Joseph Beuys: Mapping the Legacy 
(2000). His presentation is entitled 'Exit, Radical Culture and the 
Re-Composition of Struggle.'

Tamara Steger is director of the Centre for Environmental Policy and Law at 
CEU and a specialist in environmental justice and sustainable development. 
Her paper is entitled 'Fin de Siecle to Stuckism:  Reclusiveness and Social 
Activism for Sustainability'.

Yanina Taneva is Art For Social Change Programme Manager at The Red House - 
Center for culture and Debate, Sofia. Her paper is entitled: 'Does Concrete 
Blossom? Environmentally-Conscious Art in Present-day Bulgaria as Political 
Statement'

Alan Watt is a lecturer in environmental philosophy and the development of 
environmental thought at the Department of Environmental Science and Policy 
at Central European University. He will speak on 'Sustainability as a 
Political Ideal'.

ART PROGRAMME

REHAB Exhibition
Labor Gallery
29 February - March 26 2008

REHAB is a refuge where we can hide when we want a break from contemporary 
lifestyles and the damaging influence they have on our mental and physical 
well-being. In a system in which we're constantly obliged to be socially 
responsible, in the moments when we want a rest from continuous pressure to 
conform to social norms, REHAB is an emergency exit. REHAB is also a state 
of mind, a decision to press pause and unwind, a refusal of ideological 
conditioning and a rejection of the slavery of political engagement, a 
shrugging off of the burden of social responsibility and responsible 
socialising. REHAB purifies us and offers a chance to refresh and recharge 
our creative energies.

The participating artists are Ivan Ladislav Galeta (HR), Csaba Nemes (HU), 
Amanda Dunsmore (IRL), Rudolf Pacsika (HU), Denis Kraskovic (HR) and Balázs 
Beöthy (HU). The curators are Maja and Reuben Fowkes. For more information 
see the gallery website: http://www.labor.c3.hu/

Amanda Dunsmore presentation: Billy's Museum
Intermedia Department - Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts
Thursday 28 February 6-7.30pm

Emmanuel Danesch - Film Screening "Livesafelyineurope"
Kisterem Gallery 8pm 29 February 2008

BOOKING
For booking information and to reserve your place at the symposium please 
email Alan Watt watt@ceu.hu Please note that although there is no booking 
fee, reservation is required.

VENUE
Central European University Auditorium
1015 Budapest, Nádor utca 9
tel: (+36 1) 327 3000

ORGANISERS
The symposium is organised by Maja and Reuben Fowkes with Alan Watt, 
Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Dessislava Gavrilova, 
Centre for Arts and Culture CEU, and co-ordinated by Lilla Földy.
The art and sustainability programme is devised by Maja and Reuben Fowkes - 
www.translocal.org 

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