VA15 CROSSING BOUNDARIES

The theme for this edition is Crossing Boundaries; an open brief, which considers the many ways art not only trespasses geographical territories but how it crosses cultural, political and artistic boundaries. Since 2011 Venice Agendas has also included live art presentations.Venice Agendas 2015 is a programme of breakfast events and performances, curated by workinprogress, during the preview week of the 56th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia followed by a series of outcome events that take place internationally throughout 2015. The theme for this edition is Crossing Boundaries; an open brief, which considers the many ways art not only trespasses geographical territories but how it crosses cultural, political and artistic boundaries. Since 2011 Venice Agendas has also included live art presentations.

The Biennale reinforces nation building and territorial borders when even now maps are being rewritten and the concept of free speech is under attack. The idea of national pavilions at the Venice Biennale representing the essence of an identity has been increasingly questioned in the context of today’s globalized world, however where there are boundaries there are crossings. The emphasis of these agendas is on the cross over and exchange between artists, writers, filmmakers and critics whilst reflecting on the cross border reality of the present time.

Jon Adams |Katrina Palmer | Marita Isobel Solberg  | Alina Serban | Pedro Reyes |  Kimbal Quist Bumstead | Richard Parry | Simon Smith | Tony White | Iain Sinclair | Tatsumi Orimoto | RUTH PROCTO | JENNIFER THATCHER |YASMINA RAGGARD |JEAN WAINWRIGHT |ALA YOUNIS | Gilane Tawadros | Tim Rawlins | Mark Waugh | JW Stella | Richard Demarco Tony Heaton | Gaynor O’Flynn | Sacha Craddock | Anna Bitkina | David A Bailey | Sue Williamson |Vassiliki Tzanakou |Emeka Okereke | Yvannoé Kruger | Tony Heaton | Louise Camrass Jean Wainwright | Katie Jolin, Gill Hedly | Voilet MacClean | FELICITY ALLEN | SIYAZIWA | SOPHIE WOOLLEY |THAIS LENKIEWICZ | SHEENA ROSE | BLANCA DE LA TORRE |ROBIN DEACON | LINA DZUVEROVIC | MARK GIBSON Jen Wu | FakeRichard Prince

book 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 | Catherine Yass

Venice

Venice Agendas 2015 is a programme of breakfast events and performances, curated by workinprogress, during the preview week of the 56th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia followed by a series of outcome events that take place internationally throughout 2015. The theme for this edition is Crossing Boundaries; an open brief, which considers the many ways art not only trespasses geographical territories but how it crosses cultural, political and artistic boundaries.

The Biennale reinforces nation building and territorial borders when even now maps are being rewritten and the concept of free speech is under attack. The idea of national pavilions at the Venice Biennale representing the essence of an identity has been increasingly questioned in the context of today’s globalized world, however where there are boundaries there are crossings. The emphasis of these agendas is on the cross over and exchange between artists, writers, filmmakers and critics whilst reflecting on the cross border reality of the present time.

DISCUSSIONS

VENICE AGENDAS AT CZ95 curated by: Terry Smith

Location: CZ95, Giudecca 95, 30133 Venezia
Vaporetto: Zitelle on lines 
2, 4.1 and 4.2

OPEN BORDERS: Where are you from?

Wednesday 6 May 2015 10 .00 – 11.00h: breakfast from 9.30h

Moderators: JW Stella and Mark Waugh

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?

Thursday 7 May 2015 10 .00 – 11.00h: breakfast from 9.30h

Moderator: Gilane Tawadros

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 10 .00 – 11.00h: breakfast from 9.30h

Moderator: Tim Rawlins

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: Rights of Passage

Wednesday 6 May - Friday 8 May 2015 11.00 – 12.00h

Curated by: Jean Wainwright

A unique publication where 100 individual art books will be assembled and constructed on site from work by 24 international artists who have produced signed photographic art works as a ‘one off’. Each book with the 24 signed prints is made to order and available to purchase. The selected artists address complex issues of individual identity, territorial borders, society, economics, and immigration. 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. https://rightsofpassage2015.wordpress.com

performances

VENICE AGENDAS AT IMAGINA CAFÉ Artist performances curated by Mark Segal

Imagina Café, Rio Terà Canal, 3126 Dorsoduro, Venezia (Near Campo Santa Margherita) Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico

Three artists have been selected to realise or represent the theme of Crossing Boundaries for Venice Agendas 2015. Each addresses, considers, celebrates and/or challenges single or multiple boundaries, be they neurological, physical, sculptural, geographic, fictional or actual.

Jon Adams

18.00h Wednesday 6 May 2015

Jon performs Games with the Water Horse, a performance/installation piece that he has learnt as a memory journey. Starting from a time on the 12 hour clock face (provided on request by an audience member), then following Fibonacci numbers, he will describe events connected to time, but liberated from an easily digested narrative, informed by his synaethesia.

Katrina Palmer

18.00h Thursday 7 May 2015

Katrina read from a selection of her books on a one-to-one basis with one individual for up to ten minutes, along with a further 12 audience members as observers. The one-to-one listener could select from one of Katrina’s publications which will be available on the table while the observers view the reading in close proximity. Four one-to-one readings will take place from 6pm, in twelve minute slots. Courtesy of the artist and MOT International, London and Brussels.

Marita Isobel Solberg

18.00h Friday 8 May 2015

Marita performed: There exists love, will, sounds and movements in this vast room. We are deeply connected. The performance concerns reflections on the challenges, conflicts, potentials, aspirations, importance and impact of being both a citizen of the world while remaining close to our roots. A spoken word session which includes poetry, movement, singing, making sounds and rhythm.

Venice Agendas 2015 presented in partnership with Turner Contemporary, SHAPE London, and University for the Creative Arts with additional support from Sámi Dáiddačehpiid Searvi, Arts University Bournemouth, DACS, Nuova Icona, Clocktower Productions, Audio Arts; CZ95 and Municipalità di Venezia. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

SPEED DATE Participants included Yvannoé Kruger, Tony Heaton, Louise Camrass, Jean Wainwright, Katie Jolin, Gill Hedly, Voilet MacClean, Piloted at VA13 and subsequently in Norway, Speed Dating successfully gets people talking and involved in the project. With 60 questions relating to the idea of identity and crossing boundaries, each deal specifically with how we connect to ‘local’ culture and how that interfaces with the wider international agenda. Meet, discuss and exchange ideas with some of the worlds leading artists, curators, critic, directors and collectors.