Venice Agendas 2015

The morning begins with refreshments starting at 9.30h. Discussions begin at 10.00 and end at 11.00. Rights of Passage assemble performance begins at 11.00 until 12.00h

OPEN BORDERS: Where are you from?

Moderators: JW Stella and Mark Waugh

Wednesday 6 May 2015: Considers identity - do artists belong to one culture through their Nationality, or are they citizens of the world? This debate asks questions about statehood, effects of global migration on cultural boundaries, and if it matters where you are from.

CLOSED BORDERS: Whose boycott is it anyway?

Moderator: Gilane Tawadros

Thursday 7 May 2015: The recent questioning of geographical boundaries, both democratically and by force, and the withdrawal of support by some European countries for various International artists and institutions act effectively as a boycott with cultural events being altered by political agendas. Is this a genuine support for civil rights or a convenient way for governments to play politics with culture.

CROSSING BOUNDARIES: Speed Date

Friday 8 May 2015: Piloted at VA13, Speed Dating gets people talking, involved and networking. With 60 questions relating to the idea of identity and crossing boundaries, each deals specifically with how we connect to ‘local’ culture and how that interfaces with the wider international agenda.

BORDER LINE: Right of Passage

Wednesday 6 May - Friday 8 May 2015: A unique performative publication event. 100 individual art books assembled from prints by 24 international artists; each book is made to order and available to purchase. The artists include: Martina Bacigalupo, Roger Ballan, Behrnd Behr, Valerie Belin, Adam Chodzko, Shez Dawood, Ori Gersht, Shaun Gladwell, Glenna Gordon, Mishka Henner, Nina Katchadourian, Steffi Klenz, Martin Kollar, Karen Knorr, Sohei Nishino, Max Pinckers, Charlie Shoemaker, Laurie Simmons, Heidi Specker, Terry Smith, Julian Stallabrass, Daniel Traub, Sue Williamson and Catherine Yass.