The idea that art has fluid borders and works at the edges of different disciplines, contexts, and communities is not new. However, the way it appears in contemporary practices and theories requires a fresh analysis. Such concepts as engagement, participation or interdisciplinarity in art projects are usually considered as enriching, educating or breaking the rules.

 

What do participative and interdisciplinary projects give us? What are we really learning from them? Is the idea of engaging with specific areas of knowledge and with specific communities a mere rhetorical concept, or does it contribute to significant changes? If so, what constitutes this ‘new’ value? What is it based on? How has this situation changed in recent years? Is there a need for new tools, directions or ideas to describe the aforementioned phenomena? And, last but not least, how can we define these common ground(s)?

 

The symposium is dedicated to Leonardo/ISAST, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018. Leonardo is the International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology (new media) that operates within the global network of distinguished scholars, artists, scientists, researchers and thinkers through programmes focused on interdisciplinary work, creative solutions and innovation. For an organization that defines itself like that, the question of common grounds seems crucial.

 

One of the symposium’s topics will cover art and science, and more specifically the potential connections between these areas, curating and art practice. The conference will focus on such themes as the impact of technology and digitization on the art world (in both its positive and negative aspects) – its influence on financing, art platforms, models of curating and the nature of presented works. The question of the relevance of film, video and ‘media art’ will also be discussed.

 

Symposium at the European Solidarity Centre will also include a showcase of the Ego Meter by Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau. The Ego Meter is made from a vintage ammeter, the type once used at schools as a physics teaching aid. The artists modified the instrument, adding sensors that measure various parameters of the user’s body. The level of ego is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, with the artists’ portrait visible in the background. When the user touches two sensors on the device, the pointer begins to move energetically to the accompaniment of  a mysterious sound. Each user generates a different measurement, showing just how much he or she likes the artists. When the process is done, the machine adds an additional ‘ego’ number. Each exhibition and each interaction boost the artists’ ego.

There is no need of registration for the European Solidarity Centre symposium on 13 May 2018. Entry is free.

 

Symposium is a part of Congress of IKT (International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art).