Spaces in becoming organized by Radical Education Collective
Posted on | March 18, 2008 | No Comments
Symposium at the Social Center Rog, Ljubljana
The Spaces in becoming are not idealized projections of social emancipation disregarding the existing neoliberal trends and gentrification. On the other hand, we cannot speak of them only in terms of recuperation that immediately transforms independent artistic, cultural and other social initiatives into a market commodity for global consumption. These initiatives must be considered from within, one must think with them, remain constantly in touch with the local environment, and stay within the political context from which they emerge. Only thus can we make them stronger, expand them, and bring about new ones.
Resistance as creation (Monday, 21st of April)
The pressure exerted by the authorities, the attempt at physical eviction, and the absence of media coverage, did not weaken or curtail the activities of the self-organized cultural and political initiatives at the Social Center Rog in Ljubljana. Quite the opposite; the international network of European social centers, artistic and cultural organizations, groups, and individuals operating on institutional and independent levels was reinforced. Many expressed solidarity with a letter of support and participation at a public tribune on 27 March united in the struggle for common cultural and political spaces. Similarly, migrant workers and asylum seekers in Slovenia have organized and formed, with the support of the social center activists, the World for Everyone movement. They organized a series of discussions, visiting all the faculties of the Ljubljana University; the next stage is a public manifestation in the streets of Ljubljana on 19 April. The discussion on 21 April will include the protagonists of the World for Everyone movement, of the Invisible Workers of the World movement, and the activists-researchers of the social center. It will also serve as part of the preparations for the European meeting of social centers in June 2008 in Ljubljana. In addition to the relations between social movements, social centers and artistic and cultural institutions and collectives in Slovenia and Europe, we will discuss the forms and methods of communication with local communities, and the instruments of legitimacy for an alternative organization of life and labor.
Thinking politics: Current issues in political activism (Saturday, 3rd of May)
Today, true politics is politics outside the Party. The party sequence as a revolutionary sequence in the 20th century has ended, its political experiment has failed, mainly due to the fact it was linked to the State. Can alter-globalization movement be seen as one of the new political forms that could signal the beginning of a new historical sequence, or should we rather see such political forms as the Zapatista movement, political groups of sans-papiers and erased, autonomous trade unions struggles as the real political alternatives? Political activism faces many controversies: the Seattle generation of alter-globalization movement has suffered many defeats (e.g. Genoa), with its activities blocked or limited due to the post-9/11-criminalization. Nevertheless, the last instance of anti-G8 struggle has reaffirmed the need for global networks of resistance and showed some perspectives for future actions. In our workshop we would like to address some specific questions regarding the principles of politics and political organization: can we still speak about revolution as a strategic concept; how can we then avoid the dialectics between state and revolution, or multitude and empire? How can we connect local struggles with a global movement? Where in local politics can we find examples of different politics (Autonomous Tribune, Rog factory, etc.)? What are the new topics that have to be discussed (NATO in the Balkans, transition, etc.)?
At 20:00, screening What Would It Mean To Win? by Oliver Ressler and Zanny Begg. It was filmed at the G8 summit protests in Heiligendamm, Germany, June 2007 and focuses on the current state of the counter-globalisation movement.
(Im)possible spaces of art (Saturday, 10th of May)
This discussion will focus on the radical changes in principles, methods, theoretical and practical fields and modes of various kinds of knowledge production in contemporary art. The ideas on how artistic, activist and political networks can be intertwined with other heterogeneous networks will be discussed and practical examples of interventions given. Are (revolutionary) art practices possible only within (revolutionary) spatial practices? How important are these spaces and practices in a political sense, i.e., can they create a “possibility of politics?” Are they characterized solely by collective creation, temporariness, self-organization, shared authorship and informality? How is it possible to achieve and sustain a relative autonomy of these newly created spaces? Does that also have to do with how they can connect to others and to other movements?
Kosovo: art – education – politics (Tuesday 13th of May)
Contemporary art in Kosovo emerged from the singular biopolitical situation (social exclusion, extreme segregation of ethnic groups, war violence, transnational interventions, etc.) that eventually led to a complete isolation and fragmentation of the society. Conversation with artists from the School of Missing Identity will provide a practical example of an independent artistic and educational initiative that touched on the complex and difficult topics of identity, ethnicity and nationalisms. The School of Missing Identity has influenced the contemporary art scene at large, and was an inspiration for creating the Rizoma Art Space. Nevertheless, the young generations of Kosovo artists share the argument that their context and their conditions have changed dramatically since 1999. For that reason Stacion, Center for Contemporary Art was founded in 2006. A series of cultural debates has created an interesting and important platform for addressing relevant topics and critical readings of contemporary art works. This discussion, proposed by contemporary artists, art and social critics from Kosovo, will be based on three practical examples. The participants will attempt to connect the arts, activism and education, focusing on alternative education, political participation, and the meaning of emancipation in the arts.
Participants:
A-infopoint
Alkatraz Gallery / KUD Mreža
Avtonomna tribuna
Jan van Eyck Academy, Maastricht
Micropolitics Group of Research, London
Museum of Modern Art, Ljubljana
Predor
Radical Education Collective
Radio Študent
Reartikulacija
Rex, Belgrade
Rizoma Art Space, Prishtina
Rotor, Graz
School of Missing Identity, Prishtina
Social Center Rog / Rog Factory
Social movement World for Everyone
Škuc Gallery
Concept / Contacts:
Gašper Kralj, gasperkralj@yahoo.com
Bojana Piškur, bojana.piskur@mg-lj.si
Moderators:
Aigul Hakimova, agsa@mail.ru
Gal Kirn, galkirn@gmail.com
Adela Železnik, adela.zeleznik@mg-lj.si
Sezgin Boynik, sezgin_boynik@hotmail.com
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