Seminar on how art functions as an alternative perspective in the public realm, together with four artist-driven organizations from different parts of Europe.

“In a media climate where many of the loudest alternative voices today come from the far right, how do other expressions and opinions sound? Art has traditionally been a realm for experimental ideas, new perspectives and utopias, often pursuing various forms of equality and humanism. How do the situation look for alternative, artist-driven platforms in a mediated reality where socially critical voices are often mixed together into an overwhelming cacophony of anti-establishment voices from all directions. In what way can art constitute an alternative space and provide other more reflective perspectives in a public sphere characterized by positioning and polarization?”

The International group at Konstepidemin have invited three other artistic platforms from different parts of Europe to adress questions such as: How do your organization work with being slow rather than fast? Performing actions rather than having opinions? Being friendly instead of competitive? Producing less information rather than more?

PARTICIPANTS
Niamh Brown – Ormston house (Limerick, Ireland)
Nikolett Balázs – MŰTŐ (Budapest, Hungary)
Martin Bricelj Baraga – Museum of Transitory Art (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
John Huntington – Konstepidemin (Gothenburg, Sweden)

How to Keep Your Calm – Art as Alternative is one in a series of digital seminars produced by the International group at Konstepidemin in Gothenburg that highlight how artist-driven initiatives address urgent societal issues today.

The event is supported by the Swedish Arts Council, ABF and Göteborg stad.