Cycle “What can Art? do” | _Ágora de Cá_

Throughout ten sessions, starting in October 2023 and until the end of 2025, zet gallery and Passeio are launching a new cycle within ÁGORA DE CÁ, starting by the question: WHAT CAN ART DO?, which is inspired by the premise of Spinoza (1632-1677), in his Ethics III, “The fact is that no one has determined, until now, what the body can do, that is, experience has taught no one, until now, what the body – exclusively by the laws of nature as considered only corporally, without being determined by the mind – can and what it cannot do”.

The challenges faced by artistic creation and programming structures are increasingly greater today. Likewise, the issues that stimulate researchers and mobilize artists seem increasingly complex, thus requiring a broader discussion on the construction of critical thinking and civic action in the world. In this sense, we suggest to expand the traditional dimensions related to the relationship between creation and audiences. In other words, what we program, what we create, the way we produce meaning in relation to works (Bourriaud), the way we speak, particularly in media contexts, among other practices, is, and should be, a political act (Rancière, Bishop), or even a potential form of activism. There is no consensus on this thesis, although some of the internationally renowned structures and events, among other players in the various disciplines of contemporary production, do not shy away from assuming this role.

In this cycle, through different sub-themes, from the discussion about what the museums of the future could be, to the transformative role of community art or the democratic power of art in public spaces, we will invite different agents, including programmers/curators, critics, researchers and creators, and even journalists.

The sessions will be promoted and broadcast live, with a broad target audience in mind, ranging from cultural and artistic agents, to the academic community, but also to educators, artists, creators, the community in general, as well as policymakers with whom we want to reinforce that culture must be the subject and not just the appendix.

In the context of a world undergoing through accelerated and discontinuous change, and a society that wishes to be more participatory, critical and fair, art can (and should) play a fundamental role in enhancing common abilities to think and act. How to explain art to a dead hare? (Beuys, 1965). We believe that the hare may just be sleeping and that explanation can (should) give way to discussion and action…. Changing the world with art is urgent.

The project is organized by zet gallery in a partnership with Passeio, with support from dstgroup and the Centro de Estudos de Comunicação e Sociedade (CECS) [Communication and Society Research Center] of the University of Minho.

For further details about each session, check the schedule below and access the event page in question.

Schedule

Session I – October 25, 2023 – What can artistic structures and artists do,

#1 REPAIR, REMEMORATE, REPEAT?

Session II – January 3, 2024 – What can community art do,

#2 Reunite, Reallocate, Redistribute?

Session III – May 22, 2024 – What can artistic education do,

#3 Potencialize, open up, revolutionize?

Session IV – June 20, 2024 – What can artistic mediation do,

#4 FACILITATE, PACIFY, TRANSFORM?

Session V – December 10, 2024 – What can museums,

#5 What can museums do? What can we expect from museums?