IKT Congress: Immigrant Movement International

from 27.04.2012 – 1.05.2012 /
Tel Aviv, Israel
Seminar
Organized by International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art

World power, economic models and the role of the citizen have all been in a state of flux in recent years, an era that can be seen as representing post-globalisation. Previously, the globalisation of all aspects of contemporary life benefitted political leaders and multi-national corporations and posed huge threats to personal privacy and choice. The creation of new political structures has been threatened by tribalism and regional tensions, whilst many national and regional economies are heading for financial meltdown.

However, increasingly, there is an ever more visible politics of resistance. Through the development of viral communications systems such as social networking sites questions such as the fight for democracy, and indeed the nature of democracy itself, are brought under the spotlight. We are witnessing large scale protest, whether it is through pro-democracy movements, the ‘Arab Spring’ or worldwide anti-capitalism protests.

There have been enormous changes in artistic practice alongside these developments. The increasing digitisation of the means of production of art and its distribution has enormous potential for finding new audiences for artistic engagement. The concept of ‘narrowcasting’ worldwide as opposed to broadcasting regionally also has enormous potential.

This symposium will explore some of the opportunities created by these exciting developments.

Tania Bruguera is an artist who lives and works in Cuba and the USA

Eyal Danon is a curator and Director of the Israeli Center for Digital Art, Holon.

Jonathan Harris is Professor of Art History and Director of the Centre for Global Futures in Art Design and Media at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton

Ute Meta Bauer is a Curator and Founding Director of the Programme in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning.