SPEECH MATTERS,Biennale di Venezia 2011[catalogo,arte,Padiglione Danese,Gregos

SPEECH MATTERS.
Catalogo illustrato realizzato per l'allestimento
del Padiglione danese in occasione della
54 edizione della Biennale di Venezia,
4 giugno-27 novembre 2011,
Mousse Publishing, 2011,
copertina rigida, cm.20.5x14, pp.128,
illustrazioni a colori,
testo in inglese
peso: g.281
cod.1596
CONDIZIONI DEL LIBRO: come nuovo



Table of Contents
Preface
by Christine Buhl Andersen
p.3
"Speech Matters"
by Katerina Gregos
P.7
"Freedom of expression
and the rights of human beings"
by Raoul Vaneigem
p.31
An Interview with Antonio Negri
p.39
Participating artists
P-49
Installation Views
p.94
List of Works
p.106
Freedom of Speech: A Short Bibliography
p.109

"Free Speech"
by Christopher Hitchens
p.115
Authors
p.124
Colophon
p.126

http://www.e-flux.com/announcements/the-danish-pavilion-at-the-54th-venice-biennale/
SPEECH MATTERS
For the 54th Venice Biennale, the Danish Pavilion will host an international
group exhibition, curated by Katerina Gregos, which will explore the very
timely and complex issue of freedom of speech.
The question of freedom of speech is one that is being increasingly contested
in light of transformations taking place globally, both in authoritarian
regimes and in liberal democracies, where civil liberties seem to be increasingly
under threat.
Apart from the fact that it relates to Denmark specifically, it is also highly
relevant in relation to much of what is happening in many countries in the world
today, from: press intimidation and censorship in Russia and elsewhere; to
Google’s recent episode in China; current events in North Africa; changes to
media law in Hungary; the WikiLeaks scandal; and other factors such as increased
surveillance in the UK and the USA, and highly charged debates about the limits
of freedom of speech in several European countries, such as the Netherlands.
The notions of freedom of speech and freedom of expression also impact upon, and
are interrelated with, other areas such as the freedom of the press, censorship
and self-censorship, the internet, copyright, intellectual property, the
privatisation of knowledge, protest and public order, public space, judicial and
legal questions, pornography, sexual orientation, lifestyle preferences, and human
rights issues in general. It is important to point out that the understanding of
‘freedom of speech,’ in this context is not only in relation to the spoken word
per se but also to inextricably interrelated issues of freedom of artistic expression.
The exhibition in the Danish Pavilion aims to complicate the issue of freedom of
speech, which seems, increasingly, to be used as an empty political slogan that
is subjected to a very simplified, biased and populist debate.
Denmark has a longstanding reputation of freedom of speech and freedom of press.
It has always been at the forefront of the public debate on a number of progressive
issues in relation to freedom of speech; but it has also suffered the so-called
‘trauma of free speech,’ making it even more appropriate to use the Danish
Pavilion as a springboard from which to discuss these issues.
SPEECH MATTERS features 18 international artists of different generations from
12 countries. 13 new installations and works have been commissioned specially
for the exhibition
Participating artists: Agency (International, est. 1992) – Ayreen Anastas &
Rene Gabri (Palestine & Iran) – Robert Crumb (USA, 1943) – Stelios Faitakis
(Greece, 1976) – FOS (Denmark, 1971) – Sharon Hayes (USA, 1970) –
Han Hoogerbrugge (the Netherlands, 1963) – Mikhail Karikis (Greece, 1975) –
Thomas Kilpper (Germany, 1956) – Runo Lagomarsino (Argentina/Sweden, 1977) –
Tala Madani (Iran, 1981) – Wendelien van Oldenborgh (the Netherlands, 1962) –
Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen (Denmark, 1970) – Taryn Simon (USA, 1975) –
Jan Švankmajer (Czech Republic, 1934) – Johannes af Tavsheden – Tilman Wendland
(Germany, 1969) – Zhang Dali (China, 1963).
Curator: Katerina Gregos
Works Extra Muros:
Apart from the works exhibited inside the Danish Pavilion, three of the artists
will create large outdoor commissions. The German artist Thomas Kilpper has
constructed a Pavilion for Revolutionary Free Speech, built in, and beyond,
the private garden of the Danish Pavilion.
The structure will also host Speakers’ Corner, an open balcony and public podium
where a series of specially commissioned language-based performances and speech
acts on the subject of free speech will take place during the opening days
and after.
On the façade of the Danish Pavilion, the Greek artist Stelios
Faitakis has realised Imposition Symphony, an ambitious large-scale mural in six
chapters whose main narrative revolves around six episodes all relating to
questions of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, censorship and oppression,
from a contemporary as well as historical perspective.
Finally, the Danish Pavilion will extend its presence outside the Giardini
and in the public urban fabric of Venice itself, through the work of the Danish
artist FOS, who will realize Osloo—a floating Pavilion, which incorporates a
bar, a radio station and a stage for concerts, talks, and lectures.
Entrance to Osloo is free for the public and a daily programme is offered
throughout the first month of the Biennale. See: www.olsoo.dk and
www.danish-pavilion.org
The Catalogue:
The exhibition catalogue will be designed and produced by Mousse.
It will feature contributions by Katerina Gregos, Christopher Hitchens,
Antonio Negri, and Raoul Vainegem.
The Commissioner:
The Danish Arts Council Committee for International Visual Arts serves
as Commissioner for the Danish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, where
Denmark has taken part since 1895.