We recently celebrated the revolutionary legacy of both 1968 and 1917 – two recurring references in history, politically as well as artistically. But what do we have to celebrate today? On the one hand, we are demonstrating for the right to fully integrate ourselves as subjects in the economic system of capitalist modes of production (the right to work, equal rights, equal wages). On the other hand, we are drifting more towards a situation where humanity itself becomes superfluous when it is no longer necessary for the reproduction of capitalist society (unemployed, migrants, people without papers). Therefore, the revolutionary energies seem to remain captive in the menagerie. In a current state of rising xenophobia, fascism, nationalist fronts, neoliberal depression and climate destruction to name a few – the bleak reality of modernity tells us nothing else than to urgently stress new formulations and reinventions of emancipatory politics. Is it therefore time to abandon previous revolutionary legacies...or perhaps, are they even more relevant today?
Art as a counterpower to state politics has been central to many 20th-century avant-gardes. From constructivism, dadaism, surrealism, and to the boom of artistic movements of the 1960’s such as happenings, situations, performances, and fluxus; art has been considered a political standpoint that remains influential to approaching social issues and crisis through aesthetics and critique. If we reflect on the legacy of political and artistic interventions in revolutionary terms, how are we to understand art in late capitalism?
Together with artists, writers and theorists, who all address or reflect upon these notions in their work – this one-day session aims to approach these questions through a hybrid format including talks, discussions, performances and screenings. This is an attempt to, in various ways, address and conceptualize critical aspects on (art)work, value-criticism, and revolutionary legacies – in order to put forward notions of critical thinking across and beyond capitalist modes of production, and to cross-think some (im)possible future directions.
For more information and detailed program please visit:
facebook.com/events/382116292293744 or coff.se/
Participants
Olivia Berkowicz, Rasmus Fleischer, Astrid Grelz, Alice Håkansson, Julia Kouneski, Mattin, Max Ronnersjö, Frida Sandström and Karl Sjölund
Language English - Free admission
Accessibility
c.off is located on the lower ground floor in a tower-block apartment building, about 5 min walk from subway station Tekniska högskolan. The address is Körsbärsvägen 9, lower ground floor. The nearest bus station is Körsbärsvägen (bus 61) or Valhallavägen (bus 4). A large red-white entrance sign called ccap is visible outside the front door. Use the door bell if the entrance is closed. We recommend mobility services to navigate Körsbärsvägen 7 on their GPS. In order to reach the front door, vehicles must drive over a sidewalk and follow along the Arcadia hotel facade. It is not possible to reach the venue by stairs or lift through the apartment building’s entrance. The venue is accessible for movement disabilities. Regretfully, the venue does not provide a hearing loop or resources for vision diverseness. Information about c.off and our events is most often provided in English, however our staff also speak Swedish, Polish, Italian, Russian and other non-verbal languages.