Weibel, Strauss, Volkova: Media Impact (Book representation)
Channel: Autonome Universität Berlin
Date: 2012-06-25

MediaImpact book presentation
Discussion: Art and Agency in the Information Age. From Bradley Manning to Pussy Riot.Participants: Joulia Strauss (artist, activist, Berlin) and Tatiana Volkova (curator, ZHIR project, Moscow)

The system of contemporary art has shifted: a new Art, that is autonomous from state institutions or private corporations is arising. A secession between the art markets and this new autonomous art that runs against prejudices and calmative conventions is appearing. It is our great honor to present a publication which collects and reflects inventive forms of protest crucial for global change. As Peter Weibel stated: "The best contemporary art is activism." We share his opinion and would like to advance the agency of activism through and within the culture of art. This book is made possible by ZKM, Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe.

The publication in book form "MediaImpact. International Festival of Activist Art" is what previously was known as a "catalogue" of an "exhibition", which took place complementary to the last year's Fourth Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. The exhibition was constituted by informative artefacts and documentations and as space for exchange between different movements, as a form of synchronisation and generation of coordinated actions.

We would like to further develop the shape of next year's MediaImpact festival and discuss the future service of an art institution that would be interested in creating greater distance from privatization and move more towards putting culture into the commons.The presentation and the discussion, taking place in the re-occupied Berlin Biennale 7 that is newly formed as a horizontal structure, will be conducted as an assembly. Interests will be particularly targeted toward a technologically advanced empowerment of political impact.

Discussing "Art and Agency in the Information Age" we also address tremendous problems that activists face such as WikiLeaks and in this we want to honour Bradley Manning in forcing governmental transparency.This book is being presented on the days of the trial of Pussy Riot and we see our meeting as a continuation of the world wide protest against their detainment.

"In Western Europe people like to read about indignation, even if they don't have to take risks. In Russia resistance can be dangerous. Therefore the indignation of individuals for social causes like justice, humanity and freedom cannot be advocated and supported enough." (Peter Weibel)