Facing Forward: Lecture Evening #4
09/02/2012

Speakers: Paul Chan & Hito Steyerl

Date: Thursday, February 9th

Location: Aula, University of Amsterdam (Oude Lutherse Kerk), Singel 411 (corner Spui), Amsterdam

Time: 8:00 – 10:30 pm

Language: English

On Thursday, February 9th the fourth event in the lecture series Facing Forward: Art & Theory from a Future Perspective will take place, on the theme of FUTURE FREEDOM. The speakers of this evening are artist Paul Chan (USA) and philosopher and filmmaker Hito Steyerl (DE). Following the two lectures, there will be a debate with experts and the public, moderated by Ann Demeester, Director of de Appel arts centre in Amsterdam. Fardi Tabarki (NL), Director of Studio Zeitgeist and lecturer, will provide an introduction statement.

In discussions about the current revolutions in the Arab world, it is often said that they are engaged in a struggle for future democracy, which is couched as a typical western ideal. However, the question arises as to whether a struggle for freedom actually embraces democracy as the ultimate aim. Like all political ideologies, democracy is charged with specific power structures. Furthermore, with the emergence of right-wing political parties, concepts such as freedom, power, and democracy have been reappropriated and become the subject of much discussion in many western democracies. For example, in the Netherlands, the right-wing Partij van de Vrijheid (PVV) (Party of Freedom; in itself a non-democratic party), which holds that the integrity of the nation is threatened by immigration and certain religious groups, tolerates a government of Christian Democrats and Liberals. What place does the concept of freedom have in our present parliamentary democracy, and what is the future of freedom? Is freedom possible for everyone or achievable by a only select few? Does the power of democracy or democratic power stand in the way of freedom? And what does this mean for the free or liberal arts, which are under such enormous pressure in the current political climate?

About Facing Forward: Art & Theory from a Future Perspective

The Facing Forward series consists of seven lecture and debate evenings addressing urgent themes that together envision possible futures for contemporary art and theory, offering innovative models and strategies for today’s artistic practices.

The complete program is as follows:

#1 FUTURE TECH - December 7‚ 2011, 8 pm

Speakers: Manuel DeLanda & Amber Case

#2 FUTURE IMAGE - December 14, 2011, 8 pm

Speakers: James Elkins & Jalal Toufic

#3 FUTURE HISTORY - January 13, 2012, 8 pm

Speakers: Amelia Jones & David Summers

#4 FUTURE FREEDOM – February 9, 2012, 8 pm

Speakers: Paul Chan & Hito Steyerl

#5 FUTURE MUSEUM - March 8, 2012, 8 pm

Speakers: Hans Belting & Iwona Blazwick

#6 FUTURE CITY - March 2012, 8 pm

Speakers: Rem Koolhaas (among others)

#7 FUTURE’S FUTURE - April 2012, 8 pm

Speakers: To be announced

Practical information:

Language: All lecture evenings will be held in English.

Location: Oude Lutherse Kerk, Spui 411 (corner Spui), Amsterdam.

Editorial board:

Jelle Bouwhuis (SMBA), Ann Demeester (de Appel arts centre), Hendrik Folkerts (Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam), Christoph Lindner (ASCA, University of Amsterdam), Domeniek Ruyters (Metropolis M), Margriet Schavemaker (Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam), and Tim Voss (W139).

For the full program, more information on the topics, speakers, and ticket sales, as well as information regarding the workshops, please visit our website www.facingforward.nl. Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

PARTNERS:

De Appel arts center

Metropolis M

W139

Stedelijk Museum

University of Amsterdam

SMBA

MEDIA PARTNER:

De Groene Amsterdammer

SUPPORTED BY:

Sns Reaal

Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst

Mondriaan Stichting