April 8, 2005
Tallinn, Estonia

In collaboration with Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia and the Tallinn Art Hall, Estonia. April 8, 2005 at 4 PM at the Tallinn Art Hall Tallinn, Estonia

The archive, as both a facility and a concept in the field of contemporary art has gained prominence in our cultural discourse since the turn of the millennium. What are the task and the meaning of an archive? What possible functions might it serve and what is its purpose? In the context of contemporary art we are mostly acquainted with artists’ archives and archives related to museums (permanent collections). But how should an exhibition or a Biennial as an ephemeral event be documented or archived? And isn’t a curator’s archive worth keeping for memory? This discussion focuses on various archival practices and projects of artists, curators, as well as museums and exhibitions, the diversity of functions and changes in use.

PARTICIPANTS
Beatrice von Bismarck professor art history and visual studies, co-editor of ‘Interarchive book, Berlin, Germany Hans-Peter Feldmann artist, Düsseldorf, Germany, Sirje Helme art historian, director Center of Contemporary Arts Tallinn and appointed director new art museum Tallinn, Estonia Viktor Misiano (Moderator) curator, art critic and chief editor MJ Manifesta Journal, Moscow, Russia Anders Härm art critic, lecturer and curator Tallinn, Estonia

January 27, 2005
Moscow, Russia

In collaboration with Moscow Art Biennale – Moscow January 27, 2005 Moscow Musuem of Contemporary Art, 25 Petrovka street, Moscow, Russia. 11.00 AM., free entrance

Although the figure of the contemporary art curator is a relatively new feature in the world of contemporary art, it has developed and established itself very quickly. An important part of this process has been the development of an educational system for curators. There have been a growing number of curatorial schools and courses, from short workshops to full programs of graduate studies. Just as it is the case with art education, however, curatorial education seems to be a complicated issue. What can be taught and learned in such a process? Can curatorial schools transmit merely technological skills and general information or can they shape and develop one's fundamental positions and understanding of art? Are such schools merely a system of self-reproduction of the system, or do they enable their students positions that oppose conventions and routines? A number of people involved in the process of curatorial education are invited to reflect upon these and other issues.

PARTICIPANTS
Zoran Eric (moderator) : art historian, curator and PH. D. candidate at the Bauhaus University, Weimar Hedwig Fijen : (introduction) : director International Foundation Manifesta, Amsterdam Pier Luigi Tazzi : critic, columnist, teacher and curator, Italy Igor Zabel : chief editor Manifesta Journal, senior curator Moderne Galerija Ljubljana, Slovenia Mai Abu ElDahab: appointed co curator Manifesta 6, currently in residence at ISCP, New York Teresa Gleadowe : director Master’s Degree Program Curating Contemporary Art at the Royal College of Art in London Joseph Backstein : Coordinating curator 1st Moscow Art Biennial, RussiaArchive

November 23, 2004
Vilnius, Lithuania

In collaboration with CAC – Vilnius November 23, 2004 CAC Contemporary Art Centre, Vokieciu 2, 2001, VILNIUS, Lithuania. 6 pm, free entrance.

The role and function of the curator within the field of contemporary art has been changed tremendously the past decade. The independence and responsibility seems to have been increased. The identity of and attention for the curator has become a pertinent issue of discussion for artists and art professionals. The traditional boundaries between those who create and those who mediate, in terms of organiser, facilitator to collaborator in the creative process with the artist, becomes increasingly difficult to define. Conventionally, where does the work of artists and curators begin and end? What conditions have influenced this division of labour, of roles, of responsibilities? Under what circumstances have the distinctions between the two become blurred? Is curating a meta-discourse or does it exist on the same level as an art practice? What influence has institutional critique had on institutional practice? Should artists influence the structures and processes of institutions. Why, when, how?

PARTICIPANTS
Alex Farquharson, curator and critic. Curating lecturer at Royal College of Art, Curatorial Studies. Maria Lind, curator and critic. Since 2001 Director Munich Kunstverein. Former curator at Moderna Museet in Stockholm and in 1998 co curator of Manifesta 2. Bik Van der Pol, artist collective, Rotterdam - the Netherlands Viktor Misiano, curator and critic based in Moscow. Chief Editor Moscow Art Magazine and Manifesta Journal. Kestutis Kuizinas, Director CAC Vilnius

November 12, 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria

In collaboration with ICA – Goethe Institute, Budapesta Str. 1, 1000 SOFIA, Bulgaria 6 pm, free entrance.

The role and function of the curator within the field of contemporary art has been changed tremendously the past decade. The independence and responsibility seems to have been increased. The identity of and attention for the curator has become a pertinent issue of discussion for artists and art professionals. The traditional boundaries between those who create and those who mediate, in terms of organizer, facilitator to collaborator in the creative process with the artist, becomes increasingly difficult to define. Conventionally, where does the work of artists and curators begin and end? What conditions have influenced this division of labour, of roles, of responsibilities? Under what circumstances have the distinctions between the two become blurred? Is curating a meta-discourse or does it exist on the same level as an art practice? What influence has institutional critique had on institutional practice? Should artists influence the structures and processes of institutions. Why, when, how?

PARTICIPANTS
Luchezar Boyadjiev, artist, art historian, theorist, Sofia Massimiliano Gioni, co curator Manifesta 5, appointed co curator 4th Berlin Biennal 2006 Ali Subotnick, freelance writer, editor and curator. Visiting critic at the School of the Arts at Columbia University. Appointed co curator 4th Berlin Biennial 2006 Raimundas Malasauskas, curator CAC Vilnius and appointed curator 9th Baltic Triennial Nedko Solakov, artist, Sofia.