Art and engagement is lately a much discussed subject. We seem to be concerned with evaluating the ideals introduced by contemporary practice in 1990's. Doubts arise as to whether art has succeeded in appropriating its much desired position within society. Is what we refer to as 'engaged’ art really so engaged, or has art's desire to collaborate with society resulted in an uncritical absorption by social structures ? Related to this is the increasing populism within culture politics and subsidy system that produces an official kind of engaged art. Recently a new call for autonomy, a previously discredited concept in art criticism, can be heard again. This seems to address the question that art perhaps gains its critical possibilities after all from its own unique position with the implication of distance from society. Important questions discussed: Can art be engaged, and should it be? Can we speak of a turning point which could be defined around the term 'engaged autonomy'? What are the possibilities, forms and contexts available within contemporary society in order that art is engaged?
The discussion will take place in the form of 3 dialogues, following the example of political debates, to bring the fire within art discussions.
Moderator : Tiers Bakker ( HTV de IJsberg and de Groene Amsterdammer)