art theory amsterdam W139

Right about Now: Art and Theory since the 1990s

W139, Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, in collaboration with the department of Art History at the University of Amsterdam, have joined forces to bring you a unique series of lectures entitled Right about Now: Art and Theory since the 1990s. The lectures, realised with support of the Mondriaan Foundation, will be held in English.

Since the early 1990s, debate and reflection on contemporary visual art have primarily centred on concrete artistic practice and notions like production and presentation. But in the meantime, what have been the developments exactly in the field of critical theory? Right about Now can be considered a serious attempt to formulate an answer to this question. A select group of respected Dutch and foreign academics and thinkers (including leading experts like Hal Foster, Claire Bishop, Daniel Birnbaum and Nicolas Bourriaud) have been asked to scrutinize recent art history and present their findings in the form of a lecture. The speakers will address trends and themes (including ‘Interactivity’, ‘Documentary Evidence’ and ‘Money’) that have influenced theoretical debate since the start of the 1990s and will investigate the significance these notions and developments might have for today’s artistic discours. By initiating this series, the organizers hope to encourage public debate regarding the art of the recent past, as well as partially bridge the gap existing between academic research and the artistic ‘fieldwork’ of artists and curators.

Lecture 1: Wednesday November 30th, 2005
INTERACTIVITY: Speakers: Claire Bishop (UK), Nicolas Bourriaud (FR)

Lecture 2: Wednesday January 25th, 2006
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE: Speakers: Sophie Berrebi (FR/NL)

Lecture 3: Wednesday March 1st, 2006
THE BODY: Speakers: Maaike Bleeker (NL), Deborah Cherry (UK)

Lecture 4: Wednesday March 29th, 2006
MONEY: Speakers: Marc Spiegler (USA), Olav Velthuis (NL)

Lecture 5: Wednesday April 19th, 2006
CURATING: Speakers: Beatrice von Bismarck (DE), Jennifer Allen (USA)

Lecture 6: Wednesday May 10th, 2006
REMODERNISM: Speakers: Daniel Birnbaum (SE)

Lecture 7: Wednesday June 7th, 2006
ENGAGEMENT: Speakers: Hal Foster (USA), Sven Lütticken (DE/NL)


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The first lecture of the English-language series will be held on Wednesday November 30th, 8 p.m., in the Auditorium of the University of Amsterdam (Oude Lutherse Kerk, Singel 411, Amsterdam).

Subsequent lectures take place on a monthly basis - again on Wednesday evenings, starting 8 p.m. You are required to order tickets in advance.

For the full programme, reservations and additional information, please visit http://www.rightaboutnow.nl