making a REAL difference

“Larner employs the term littoral art to evoke the hybrid or in-between nature of these practices. French critic Nicolas Bourriaud has coined the term relational aesthetic to describe works based around communication and exchange. Homi K. Bhabha, in an essay from the Conversations at the Castle project in Atlanta, writes of “conversational art,” and Tom Finkelpearl refers to “dialogue-based public art.””
Conversation pieces: community and communication in modern art By Grant H. Kester. pg.10

I found Kesters introduction a really interesting read. I thought all the examples given of these ‘conversation’ projects were really intriguing in particular the boat cruises brought about by the Austrian arts collective WochenKlausur as part of an “intervention” in drug policy. The way that Kester writes how the gathering of politicians, journalists, activists and sex workers “With their statements insulated from direct media scrutiny, they were able to communicate outside the rhetorical demands of their official status” p.g 2. I think the success of this meeting had a lot to do with commng under the impression of an ‘art event’ rather than a political or government funded event. Kester writes about the sex workers feeling threatened and facing abuse form the government and police force and even their clients. I think it’s really comforting to hear about times when art truely brings community together for the greater good. Sometimes you just need a mediating environment and I can see that amidst political turmoil sometimes art can be that mediator.

On the whole I though these ‘conversation’ artworks were a bit floozy. ESPECIALLY in regards to Derive’s... So I found comfort in actually reading this and finding that sometimes these ‘conversation’ artworks can make a difference in society. And aren’t just about getting together for a drink.