Armen Avanessian on Postcontemporary Art, Discreet, and the 9th Berlin Biennale
Armen Avanessian, a co-founder of Discreet, is set to lead a workshop for young curators during the 9th Berlin Biennale, scheduled from September 11 to 17. This initiative will gather 15 curators aged under 35 and will delve into the theme of postcontemporary art, a notion introduced in his book 'Der Zeitcomplex: Postcontemporary,' which critiques the current crisis in contemporary art. Avanessian draws distinctions between this and both avant-garde and modern art, noting the emergence of speculative financial markets alongside contemporary art. He advocates for innovative alternatives in economic practices and questions the enduring influence of biennials on local institutions, asserting that technological advancements have shifted us beyond the contemporary era. Additionally, he touches on his editorial contributions to Merve Verlag and the Xenofeminist Manifesto (2015).
Key facts
- Armen Avanessian is co-founder of Discreet.
- He will organize the young curators' workshop at the 9th Berlin Biennale.
- The workshop runs from September 11 to 17.
- 15 curators under 35 from around the world will participate.
- The workshop topic is postcontemporary art, from his book 'Der Zeitcomplex: Postcontemporary'.
- Avanessian argues contemporary art is in crisis, lacking criteria and direction.
- He contrasts contemporary art with avant-garde and modern art.
- He notes the speculative financial market rose alongside contemporary art.
- He advocates for building alternatives to capitalism and contemporary art.
- He believes change must be on the level of real effects and material practices.
- He questions how biennials can benefit local institutions.
- He argues time now comes from the future, not the past.
- Examples include derivatives, preventive wars, and predictive algorithms.
- He curates a series for Merve Verlag.
- He organized a summer school that produced the Xenofeminist Manifesto (2015).
- He published 'Dea ex machina' with Helen Hester, Rosi Braidotti, and Donna Haraway.
- He criticizes academic political theory practices.
- He uses Discreet as a platform for unexpected actions.
- Women are among Discreet's agents.
Entities
Artists
- Armen Avanessian
- Alexander Martos
- Christopher Roth
- Helen Hester
- Rosi Braidotti
- Donna Haraway
- Silvia Eleonora Longo
- Marica Rizzato Naressi
- Suhail Malik
Institutions
- Discreet
- 9th Berlin Biennale
- Merve Verlag
- Artribune
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany