MADRID ABIERTO
4 – 28 February 2010

Presentations take place at Casa Encendida, Ronda de Valencia 2, Madrid
4 and 5 February, 6 – 9 pm
Curator: Cecilia Andersson

Participating artists:
Adaptive Actions
Lara Almarcegui
Laurence Bonvin
Susanne Bosch
Lisa Cheung
Teddy Cruz
Inaki Larrimbe
Josep-Maria Martin
Gustavo Romano
Pablo Valbuena

This edition of MADRID ABIERTO explores how collaboration and co-operation can act as catalysts to induce changes of benefit for the city and its inhabitants. Involving people from a broad professional spectrum, among them gardeners, actors, community workers, programmers, architects and urban planners, resulting art projects manifest a wide range of views and expressions. The aim of such a socially engaged approach is to create a larger network which, ideally, makes it possible to come closer to an understanding of some of the dynamics that operate in the city. Articulating specific concerns and voicing local issues is one step closer to resolving a conflict or improving a situation. The ten commissioned artists in this edition of MADRID ABIERTO are probing into terrains that often remain in obscurity and/or silence. The aim is to reveal some of the dynamics of collaborative efforts and explore how such efforts may affect people and policies in specific places.

Full program at: www.madridabierto.com

With the idea that the form of the artwork has become secondary to its meaning and intention, the question of process as a form of dialogue between artists and audiences has gained increased importance in contemporary art. The development of audience as a site, as the centre and meaning of the work, shifts the emphasis from an aesthetic and art historical concern towards a more social integration of the works presented.

But why is information about the processes behind the dialogue so scarce and most often kept in secret? Process in Dialogue present works by Daniel Canogar (Madrid, 1964) and Stephen Dean (Paris, 1968). The intention behind the exhibition is to explore some of the otherwise hidden processes that informs their work.

Organised for independent practitioners in the Nordic countries and the Middle East, the seminar sets out to offer participants opportunities to share information on initiatives that are actively run and managed today in different geographical locations. How are such activities implemented and by what means? The seminar is also envisioned as one way to become acquainted with and establish contact with practitioners across borders. The seminar is conceived as a temporary platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience.