Contemporary artistic and cultural practices have the strength to raise critical questions and to create platform for public opinions and comments on social problems, which are still social taboo in many countries all over the world.
Such synergy between art and daily life can be found in works of contemporary artists. Their artistic practices refer to human rights, building connections between various national groups, advocacy for the rights of the Other, warn about the consequences of neo-liberal capitalism, post-transition processes, etc.
Today, numerous projects that are considered as socially engaged embody a various types of participation, networking and communication with citizens. Sophie Hope deals with the role of such artistic practices in her article Socially Engaged Art: The Conscience of Urban Development published at the end of April in the publication Emotional Cartography - Technologies of the Self edited by Christian Nold. Here you can download the full and complete book.
This kind of artistic practice will be the topic of the discussion which will take place in London in the Banqueting Hall, Chelsea College of Art & Design, between 6 and 7.30pm on 26th May. Under the title What is Engagement? Contesting socially engaged practice artists, curators, writers and theorists will discuss socially engaged and participatory practices which are increasingly attracting public subsidy and support. Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre (see her project Do you remember Olive Morris?), Sophie Hope and Dave Beech will take part in this discussion. If you are there do not miss this opportunity to participate.
Photo: Monument for a Just City, Martin Krenn, Urban Festival 2008, Zagreb, Croatia
LabforCulture is a partner initiative of the European Cultural Foundation. LabforCulture is grateful for the support provided by its funders.
