The definition of what a curator is, has been topic of discussion in contemporary art already for a number of years now. The curator is seen as initiator, producer, or partner in crime for the artist, but also as author, director or even as ‘artist’ of the exhibition. The curator selects art, finds new ways to present or install art, creates context, deals with space, with securing venues, but also with ways to solve complex social, political or economical problems involved in getting an exhibition of the ground. But how does the collaboration between artist and curator start? Who decides what will be shown, and in which context?
“Friendly Enemies” gives an insight in the work process of creating an exhibition like the 9th Istanbul Biennial in 2005, curated by Charles Esche and Vasif Kortun. In the film the story of the Istanbul Biennial is placed against the background of a broader, more historical narrative about the development of curating in the last decades. Through archive material of exhibitions, and interviews with art professionals around the world, an art historical narrative - looking back at important moments, figures and exhibitions in the history of exhibition making - is being enfolded.
With Saskia Bos (dean of the Cooper Union School of Art, New York), Ann Demeester, (director de Appel arts centre, Amsterdam), Charles Esche (director Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven), Alex Farquharson (director Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham), Vasif Kortun (director art centre Platform Garanti, Istanbul), Gerardo Mosquera (adjunct curator New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York), Harald Szeemann (curator), and artists Huseyin Alptekin, Yael Bartana, Pavel Büchler, Danie l Buren, Ger van Elk, Serkan Özkaya, Dan Perjovschi a.o.
Practical Information:
Tickets: 3 euro
Location: de Ateliers, Stadhouderskade 86
Duration: 54.30 min.
reservations via reservations@deappel.nl (limited seats available)