[spectre] “Alternative Economics,...” at 2nd Int. Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville

[Oliver Ressler]

2nd International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville
“The Unhomely: Phantom Scenes in Global Society”
Artistic director: Okwui Enwezor

26.10.2006 – 08.01.2007
http://www.fundacionbiacs.com


For the exhibition “The Unhomely: Phantom Scenes in Global Society” one
new video for the project “Alternative Economics, Alternative Societies”
was commissioned by the Biennial in Seville.
Most of the 15 videos of the installation will be presented with Spanish
subtitles.



ALTERNATIVE ECONOMICS, ALTERNATIVE SOCIETIES

A project by Oliver Ressler

After the loss of a counter-model for capitalism – which socialism, in
its real, existing form had presented until its collapse – alternative
concepts for economic and social development face hard times at the
beginning of the twenty-first century. In the industrial nations,
broadly discussed are only those “alternatives” that do not question the
existing power relations of the capitalist system and representative
democracies. Other socio-economic approaches are labeled utopian,
devalued, and excluded from serious discussion, if even considered at 
all.

The thematic installation, “Alternative Economics, Alternative
Societies,” focuses on diverse concepts and models for alternative
economies and societies, which all share a rejection of the capitalist
system of rule. An interview was carried out for each concept. Interview
partners include economists, political scientists, authors, and
historians. From these interviews, a video in English was produced. In
the exhibition, these single-channel 20- to 37-minute videos are each
shown on a separate monitor, thus forming the central element of the
artistic installation.

The project presents the following 15 alternative social and economic
models:

Inclusive Democracy
with Takis Fotopoulos (GB/GR), 37 min., 2003

Workers’ Self-Management in Yugoslavia
with Todor Kuljic (SCG), 23 min., 2003

Caring Labor
with Nancy Folbre (U.S.A.), 20 min., 2003

Free Cooperation
with Christoph Spehr (D), 32 min., 2003

Utopian Feminist Visions
with Marge Piercy (U.S.A.), 24 min., 2003

Participatory Economics
with Michael Albert (U.S.A.), 37 min., 2003

Workers’ Collectives during the Spanish Revolution
with Salomé Moltó (E), 22 min., 2004

Change the World Without Taking Power
with John Holloway (MEX/GB), 23 min., 2004

bolo’bolo
with p.m. (CH), in collaboration with Lia, 22 min., 2004

The Paris Commune 1871
with Alain Dalotel (F), in collaboration with Rebond pour la Commune, 25
min., 2004

Anarchist Consensual Democracy
with Ralf Burnicki (D), 29 min., 2005

The Subsistence Perspective
with Maria Mies (D), 26 min., 2005

Libertarian Municipalism
with Chaia Heller (U.S.A.), 32 min., 2005

The Zapatista Good Government
with Zapatistas (MEX), in collaboration with Tom Waibel, 31 min., 2006

Towards a New Socialism
with Paul Cockshott (GB), 25 min., 2006

Chosen from each of these 15 videos is one quotation significant for the
alternative model that it presents. The quote is placed directly on the
floor of the exhibition room as a several meter long text piece. This
floor lettering, made from adhesive film, leads exhibition visitors
directly to the corresponding videos and thereby provides a kind of
orientation within this non-hierarchically arranged pool of videos.
These videos offer stimulus and suggestions for contemplating social
alternatives and possibilities for action.

The whole exhibition project started in Ljubljana in 2003 with five
videos. Meanwhile, the installation has grown to include 15 videos with
a total length of almost seven hours. The project is ongoing. Further
economic and social concepts will be added continually in the coming 
years.

Since 2003 the installation “Alternative Economics, Alternative
Societies” was realized in exhibitions in Galerija Skuc, Ljubljana (SI);
Espace Forde, Genève (CH); Kunstraum der Universitaet Lueneburg (D);
Transmediale.04, Berlin (D); O.K – Center for Contemporary Art, Linz
(A); Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Vienna (A); Itaucultural Institute, Sao
Paulo (BR); Sorlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand (N); Wyspa Progress
Foundation, Gdansk (PL); Centro Cultural Conde Duque, MediaLabMadrid,
Madrid (E); Forum Stadtpark / Steirischer Herbst, Graz (A); Main Trend
Gallery, Taipei (RC), Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Mali Salon,
Rijeka (HR), Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, Istanbul (TR),
kuda.org – New Media Center / Museum of Contemporary Art, Novi Sad
(SCG), Museum of Contemporary Art Belgrade, Salon, Belgrade (SCG),
Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe (D), Miroquesada Garland Gallery, Lima
(PE) and Kunstihoone, Tallinn (EST).



For installation shots, video transcriptions, reviews and interviews
about the project please visit
http://www.ressler.at/content/view/3/lang,en_GB

Further information and texts in German: www.ressler.at