Hito Steyerl and Nausikaä El-Mecky Art and Freedom

Description

DIA ORWELL 2024

Hito Steyerl and Nausikaä El-Mecky
Art and Freedom

20 June 2024Debate
The philosopher and video-essayist Hito Steyerl and the art historian Nausikaä El-Mecky speak about art and freedom today in a conversation that will be followed by a performance of Mourning for Narcissus by the artist Pari Banu.
The philosopher and video-essayist Hito Steyerl, a renowned authority on the effects of the new forms of communication and creation in the field of art, has frequently pointed out how they are transformed into commodities. The art historian, Nausikaä El-Mecky has specialised in detailed studies on contemporary forms of censorship and attacks on art, as well as the political persecution to which many artists are presently subjected. In this conversation, Steyerl and El-Mecky explore the different mechanisms that restrict artistic freedom today and reflect on the possibilities of thinking about art as a space of counterpower.

After the discussion, the Azerbaijani artist Pari Banu will offer a performance of Mourning for Narcissus, an interactive installation that is an invitation to spy on the gaze of the other while also celebrating the body as a space of freedom.

This session is to be held under the auspices of Artists at Risk Artistic Residencies, thanks to the collaboration between the CCCB and Artists at Risk, which is cofunded by the European Union Creative Europe programme.

On Friday, June 21, will also take place an international seminar about the current situation of artists who suffered censorship or persecution, where artists and partners of the network will debate on possible strategies to be deployed from the world of culture.

Participants: Hito Steyerl, Nausikaä El-Mecky, Pari Banu

This activity is part of Dia Orwell 2024, Orwell Day