Overview

Conceptions of what constitutes art practice have transformed drastically over the recent decades. Artists today are often thought of as generators of ideas, facilitators of social interaction and as instigators of cultural intervention. The studio might have once been considered the protected working space of the individual artist, whereas the new creative spaces of the artist are often now thought to be the functioning networks of contemporary society. The 21st century artist works with concepts, techniques and strategies of social interaction and processes as much as materials. Under such an understanding the artist is defined by actions and by constant, seemingly relentless change.

Artspace has initiated this series of discussions to consider the realities, experiences and desires associated with artistic practice in the 21st century. Whilst some consideration of the figure of the artist in the current moment will take place the greater aim of these sessions is to bring artists together to discuss the issues surrounding art practice in the 21st century from the their own individual perspectives. Framed by keynote presentations with Callum Morton (Artist, Melbourne) and Stine Hebert (Rector at Funen Art Academy, Denmark) the conference will also feature open discussions are shaped by the discussion Chairs. Informal, free flowing and discursive, these roundtable conversations are intended to be occasions for open debate amongst all attendees (both speakers and visitors alike).

DAY 1: THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER

9.30: WELCOME and INTRODUCTION, Mark Feary (Curator, Artspace)

10.00: KEYNOTE LECTURE, Callum Morton (Artist, Melbourne)

11.00: MORNING BREAK

11.30: ROUNDTABLE 1 Why Make Art Now? Chair: Alex Gawronski (Artist/Writer, Sydney) Panellists: Scott Donovan, Giles Thackway and Justene Williams

13.00: LUNCH

14.00: ROUNDTABLE 2 Everything the Artist Does (and Still Does Art) Chair: Mark Titmarsh (Artist/Writer/Academic, Sydney) Panellists: Sean Lowry, Emma Price, Mark Shorter and Jun Yang

15.30: AFTERNOON BREAK

16.00: RESPONDENT Lyndal Walker (Artist, Melbourne)

17.00: CLOSE

DAY 2: FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER

9.30: WELCOME and INTRODUCTION, Blair French (Assistant Director, Curatorial & Digital, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia)

10.00: KEYNOTE LECTURE, Stine Hebert (Rector, Funen Art Academy, Denmark)

11.00: MORNING BREAK

11.30: ROUNDTABLE 3 The Social Role of the Artist (And Is This Important?) Chair: John Di Stefano (Artist, Sydney) Panellists: Vernon Ah Kee, Alex Bowen, David Cross and Ian Milliss

13.00: LUNCH

14.00: ROUNDTABLE 4 What Are Our Utopias? Chair: Charlotte Huddleston (ST PAUL St Gallery, Auckland) Panellists: Tony Albert, Zanny Begg, Bianca Hester and Todd McMillan

15.30: AFTERNOON BREAK

16.00: RESPONDENT Alex Gawronski (Artist/Writer, Sydney)

17.00: CLOSE