[artinfo] Call for applications // Curatorial workshop: Towards Curating as a Critical Practice

[Ivana Smiljanic]

First call for applications
*Curatorial workshop: Towards Curating as a Critical Practice*
April 27th - 28th, 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 of 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 ambivalences which are 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 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 at gmail.com by January 31st, 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.

For any additional info please write to dezorg at gmail.com