Dialogical works and positive outcomes.

I found Kester's 'Conversation Pieces' fantastic to read. The benefits that come with works based around communication and exchange are highlighted. Admittedly, I found works that were deemed "relational" by artists such as Tiravanija and Gillick quite pretentious as there was this sense of smug satisfaction (alliteration anyone?) surrounding the whole "let's encourage pleasant dialogue driven relations between like-minded strangers, therefore temporarily making the world a better place and label it art" idea.

However, having now read about productive and hence beneficial outcomes that have come about as a result of collectives, also in the field of encouraging "dialogical" work, I am more inclined to consider the ways in which various forms of artistic practice can bring about positive change.

I particularly enjoyed the way Kester compared this form of practice to that of Modernist artists, illuminating the idea that when "individuals can break free from pre-existing roles and obligations, reacting and interacting in new and unforseeable ways"- different perspectives and therefore unpredictable outcomes will always be available to us.