DEZ ORG

Towards Curating as a Critical Practice

"Of Abnormality" by Ranko Travanj, Remont Gallery, June 2010

First call for applications
Curatorial workshop: Towards Curating as a Critical Practice
27th – 28th April 2011
Novi Sad, Serbia

We are pleased to launch an open call for applications for a curatorial workshop targeted at individuals who have started a career
in contemporary art as curators, writers or critics. This workshop will be part of the 10 years of D.B. Mangelos Award program (YVAA network) and is aimed at starting a dialogue about contemporary artistic/curatorial practice in S/CEE region.

The workshop will take place in Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia on 27th and 28th April 2011 (Wednesday and Thursday) and is organized by Remont, DEZ ORG and Ilija and Mangelos Foundation.

Towards Curating as a Critical Practice

Context outline:
Is there such a practice as a critical curating and what would it assume? In today’s conditions of cultural and knowledge production and general flexibilization and professionalization of labor, it could be said that particular figure of a curator lives its expanded role as a cultural producer. Indeed, the role of a curator in contemporary production of art&culture goes way beyond mediation of art works towards the audience, since it includes variety of activities ranging from basic conceptualizing and mounting of the exhibition, to handling complex institutional network of relationships and financial logistics. Curators’ role today is expanded indeed, but that expansion also comprehends imperative to network, to improve managerial skills, to communicate and cooperate, which is pointing out a new form of professionalization in cultural field of post-fordist labor market. That position often encompasses ambivalence which is present in practice of curating as a representational, an intermediary strategy
between art world and society’s power structures/institutions. On the other hand, the curatorial practice is very much involved with theoretical reflection, with knowledge and knowledge production, and it is rich with a potentiality, as a point of access to engagement in political aspects of society. Last but not least, although loaded with different influences, what should be remembered as a bottom-line of this particular practice in the art world is curator’s responsibility towards audience and the public.

Two-days long workshop in Novi Sad will try to open space for discussion among younger generation of curators from South East Europe, by enrolling and challenging theoretically on what they observe and do in the field of contemporary curating, and on what could be done. The discussions among curators and art critics will be accompanied with lectures and conversations with renowned international and regional curators and art theorists, which will serve as a further discussion booster. The workshop aims to map wider context of contemporary curating practice and to try to imagine discursive alternative strategies to it by answering the question: Is there such a practice as a critical curating and what would it assume?

The workshop will be led by art critic Branka Ćurčić.

Branka Ćurčić is a writer, art critic and program editor in the New Media Center_kuda.org, Novi Sad (kuda.org), since 2002. She graduated Fine Art and Theory of Art and Media (MA) in Novi Sad and Belgrade, Serbia. In the New Media Center_kuda.org, she is the editor of publishing project (kuda.read), which is focused on examining critical approaches towards new media culture, new cultural and political relations, contemporary artistic practice and the social realm. She actively participates in (co-)curating exhibitions, in organizing lectures, conferences and workshops regarding contemporary art theory and practices. She also takes part in several international research projects and her essays have been published in many magazines and publications in the region and internationally. She lives and works in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Documents to apply:
In order to apply, please email the following information in English to dezorg@gmail.com by February 1st, 2011:
– A motivation letter explaining your background, why you are interested in participating in the workshop.
– A short biography, presenting recent relevant projects, or project/s you are currently involved with.

Selection process:
Ten applications will be accepted. Applicants living/working in the S/CEE region are welcomed to apply. Primary attention will be paid to applicants’ motivation letter. All applicants will be notified of the selection results by the end of February 2011.

Workshop will be held in English language. For any additional info please write to dezorg@gmail.com.

dezorgbgd.wordpress.com