EARN announces the 2016 Conference in LUCA School of Arts, Brussels.

In the wake of the rising popularity of curatorial programmes, the shifting positions of both artist and curator have been the subject of intense debate in recent years. Crucial to these debates is the question of how to deal with the potential and agency of specific works of art and the relations established between them. In a recent interview Gavin Wade talked about his view on artist-curators by distinguishing between having work on show and the activity of showing as such. “(…) I propose that art is exhibition, that art is not exhibited but that art exhibits, that exhibition is a fundamental function of being human, and the fundamental process of art.” (On Curating, June 2013).

The two-day international conference THAT ART EXHIBITS will draw attention to what it means for art to exhibit. The conference wants to bring together research projects that integrate processes of artistic agency and mediation in the field of contemporary art and visual culture at large, beyond the ostensible dichotomy between artist and curator. Its aim is to explore the notions of curation and display/exhibition as artistic research practices. THAT ART EXHIBITS will question the opportunities of transformation made possible by positioning things, actions, and interventions in relation to each other in a specific temporal and spatial setup

Confirmed keynote lecture: Chus Martínez

PhD researchers who want to present artistic research projects and enter into a direct dialogue with fellow artist-researchers are invited to contribute to the conference. In order to integrate different approaches and viewpoints, the conference is open to a variety of formats of presentation and interaction, ranging from academic papers, workshops and roundtable discussions to performances, displays, and screenings. Proposals (maximum 2 pages in English) should contain a clear outline of how and what you would like to contribute, as well as a short bio, listing contact and affiliation details. You are also invited to mention 2 key influential books that have inspired your research. Based on that input a reading room/library will be set up during the conference.

For the detailed programme, please see:
https://thatartexhibits.wordpress.com/programme/

Further information:
Questions regarding the conference can be sent to thatartexhibits@luca-arts.be

THAT ART EXHIBITS is an EARN conference organised by LUCA School of Arts, rAAk (Research Center for Architecture & the Arts at KU Leuven Association) and the Lieven Gevaert Centre. EARN (European Artistic Research Network) was established to share and exchange knowledge and experience in artistic research; foster mobility, exchange and dialogue among art researchers; promote wider dissemination of artistic research; and enable global connectivity and exchange for artistic research.

SEE THE ORIGINAL CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS HERE