Are aesthetic strategies of critical opposition to political or economic power still relevant in a society where such opposition is expected, and as a result normalized and effectively neutralized? In tandem with Calvert 22’s exhibition and Tate Modern’s events in London investigating NSK (Neue Slowenische Kunst), the NSK NY Reading Group will gather in the James Gallery to discuss the interventionist tactics of subversive affirmation and over-identification in relation to their historical evolution in Eastern Europe and contemporary relevance to socially engaged practice. For this inaugural session of the Reading Group, there will be a brief introduction to the work of NSK by New York artist Conor McGrady (Eugene Lang College at the New School and Painting and Drawing, SVA) whose writing on NSK has been featured in The Brooklyn Rail and other publications, followed by discussion based on two texts: “Subversive Affirmation. On Mimesis as Strategy of Resistance”, Inke Arns & Silvia Sasse (Irwin: Art East Map, London/Ljubljana 2005). “States of Enjoyment: Questioning the Global Art Field with NSK”, Kostis Stafylakis & Yannis Stavrakakis (State of Emergence, Edited by Alexei Monroe, Plottner Verlag, 2011).
READINGS:
Subversive Affirmation: On Mimesis as a Strategy of Resistance by Inke Arns and Sylvia Sasse (Irwin: Art East Map, London/Ljubljana 2005.)
States of Enjoyment: Questioning the Global Art Field with NSKby Kostis Stafylakis & Yannis Stavrakakis (State of Emergence, Edited by Alexei Monroe, Plottner Verlag, 2011).