[spectre] Publication WHAT DOES PUBLIC MEAN? Torpedo Press Oslo

[Andreas Broeckmann]

PRESSRELEASE TORPEDO PRESS

WHAT DOES PUBLIC MEAN? ART AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

   Please join us for the launch of Torpedo Press' first publication

Where: TORPEDO KUNSTBOKHANDELEN / Hausmannsgate 42 / 0182 Oslo
When: 20th October 6pm- 9pm
A conversation with Cornelia Sollfrank 6.30pm

   "What Does Public Mean? Art as a Participant in the Public Arena" is a
new anthology edited by artist and research fellow at the Oslo National
Academy of the Arts, Tone Hansen. This publication is the inaugural
title from Torpedo Press.

   The book addresses the political, analytical, and critical potential
of the art arena by focusing on projects and accounts of actions that
take place outside the established institutions. Academics, artists,
and cultural producers from Oslo, Vilnius, Hamburg, New York and San
Sebastian highlight recent political developments and the impact of
"the new economy."

   Contributors are Marianne Heier (Oslo), Gediminas and Nomeda Urbonas
(Vilnius), Stian Grøgaard (Oslo), Peio Aguirre and Leire Vergara (San
Sebastian/ Bilbao), Tone Hansen (Oslo), Cornelia Sollfrank (Hamburg),
Gardar Eide Einarsson (New York), and Ina Blom (Oslo).

   The book will be made available at a special launch prize on Friday of
only NOK 150!


"TAMMTAMM - ARTISTS INFORMING POLITICIANS"
CORNELIA SOLLFRANK IN CONVERSATION WITH TONE HANSEN

Cornelia Sollfrank, one of the contributors to What Does Public Mean,
has been invited by Tone Hansen and Torpedo Press to talk about the
Hamburg based initiative TammTamm. Sollfrank will address the events
leading up to the protest, where artists and cultural producers
contacted the politicians on the local council to protest the city's
policies on culture and urban development. The action is directed
toward the city council's decision to grant 30 million Euros and 99
years of free rent to a private foundation for maritime artefacts, the
Peter Tamm Sen. Stiftung  in order to establish a new maritime museum
in the harbour area of Hamburg. Peter Tamm is the sole decision maker
of the museum and is known for his extremist right-wing leanings and
his collection of military paraphernalia.

   Sollfrank and Hansen will discuss the relationship between art and
activism and how this can spark public debate. Issues of public space
and urban development are increasingly becoming matters decided upon by
private and commercial interests.


TORPEDO PRESS

   Torpedo Press is a recently started publishing venture that operates
within the field of contemporary art. Torpedo Press is a part of the
art bookstore Torpedo Kunstbokhandelen and aims to publish 4-5 titles a
year, including artists' books, anthologies, and art theory. What Does
Public Mean? Art as a Participant in the Public Arena is the first
publication and forms part of a series of titles that critically
considers art in a broader context.


Seminar and Workshop
In conjunction with the book launch and in cooperation with The
Norwegian Sculpture Biennial 06 and The National Foundation for Art in
Public Buildings, there will be a seminar/workshop titled A Framework
for Modern Cultural Activism: Does Art Create A Public Sphere in
Itself? Participants: Martha Rosler, Cornelia Sollfrank, Cecilia
Widenheim, Tone Hansen/Per Gunnar Tverbakk, Ane Hjort Guttu and Søssa
Jørgensen.

   Where: The lecture hall at The National Museum of Art, Saturday 21st
October 10:30am - 4pm. Admission is free and a light meal will be
served for lunch. For more information log on to
www.utsmykkingsfondet.no

   "What Does Public Mean? Art as a Participant in the Public Arena"
   Design: Claudia Sandor Oslo Collective
   145 pp
   English
   ISBN: 978-82-997365-0-3/ 82-997365-0-1
   NOK 200

   The publication is made possible by support from The Freedom of
Expression Foundation, The Relief Fund for Visual Artists, and the Oslo
National Academy of the Arts. The book is part of Tone Hansen's work as
a research fellow at KHiO.

   The book can be ordered through Torpedo Kunstbokhandelen. For more
information contact Torpedo on:

   TORPEDO KUNSTBOKHANDELEN / Hausmannsgate 42 / 0182 Oslo / +47 22 11 20
20
   / kontakt at torpedobok.no / Mon - Fri:11 am -6 pm / Thu:11 am - 7pm /
   Sat:12pm - 5pm