Art in Conflict: Beyond Formal Structures – Self-Organised Cultural Initiatives

Discussion series 'Art in Conflict'

«Beyond Formal Structures – Self-Organised Cultural Initiatives»
artasfoundation

Artistic creation in regions affected by crisis is confronted with challenging questions. In this series of talks, different experts come together to reflect on their experiences. This time with Vigen Galstyan (curator and founder ManBan Archive of Visual Culture) and Yifei Chen (artist, editors-in-chief Prickly Paper, co-initiator Tofu Stand).

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Wed 14/01 17:30 – 19:00
Stall6
Free admission

What can art achieve in regions affected by crisis? How do artists engage in fostering human connections and peaceful conflict transformation, and what are the indispensable conditions for this? The «Art in Conflict» series explores fundamental questions of international peacebuilding through dialogues with practitioners and scholars from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. In the format of roundtable conversations, with two guests at a time, the series addresses specific topics in this field, drawing on both practical experiences and theoretical reflections. The discussions are moderated by the team of artasfoundation, the Swiss foundation for art in conflict regions, which has been initiating and organising art projects since 2012.

A vibrant civil society requires independent structures and networks. Their significance becomes particularly evident when state institutions are weak, being rolled back or authoritarian in nature. In a conversation with Vigen Galstyan (curator and founder ManBan Archive of Visual Culture), joining online, and Yifei Chen (artist, editors-in-chief Prickly Paper, co-initiator Tofu Stand), joining on-site, we explore how non-governmental cultural initiatives can take shape in China, Armenia, and beyond. The exchange between such initiatives, a mutual learning process grounded in their own resources, is more crucial today than ever.

Spontaneous participation on site is always possible. Online participation is possible with prior registration. Free entry. The event will be held in English.
For the event on 14. January, please register here.

Subscribe to the current programme of the «Art in Conflict» discussion series via this link.

The event «Art in Conflict» is part of a monthly series that is organised by the Center for Art and Peacebuilding CAP, a joint initiative of artasfoundation and the Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK, held at Gessnerallee. Each event will be broadcast live to the media library of the Academy of Art and Design Basel, Freilager-Platz 1, Münchenstein, 8th floor.

Art in Conflict is a series of discussions.
There is one discussion per month.
Experts talk about art projects in countries at war.
Anyone can listen or join in the discussion.
You can participate in the theatre.
Or you can participate at home via the internet.
Admission is free.
Today we are discussing the question:
How do cultural projects work without help from the state?
We are talking to Vigen Galstyan.
He is a curator.
He founded the ManBan Archive of Visual Culture.
He is participating online.
We are also talking to Yifei Chen.
He is an artist.
He produces the magazine Prickly Paper.
He is here with us.
The two talk about their work in China, Armenia and other places.
They explain:
How can people create their own cultural projects?
How can we learn from each other?