DESCENT TO REVOLUTION features five international artist collectives and collaboratives that use urban spaces and social spheres as means of production and inspiration. During the course of the exhibition, participating artists visit Columbus in a series of residencies to make projects specific to the city. The work does not take place inside the space of the gallery but in concert with community and physical mediums outside of it.
Drawing on a range of ideas about urbanism, community, play, collectivity, education and revolution by figures like Jean Baudrillard, Guy Debord, Henri Lefebvre, Thomas Jefferson, Jean-François Lyotard and others, Descent to Revolution investigates how incremental shifts in cultural behavior are generated by continual production of knowledge, action and conversation. Revolution then is a slow, ever-evolving process responsive to a changing contemporary society. Within this investigation is a look at the role of the institution of art in realizing projects by practitioners whose production relies on contexts outside of the gallery. So, while part of the gallery is the information outlet for Descent to Revolution, the remainder of it is vacant. This is a rather conspicuous act against prime exhibition real estate. Visitors are invited to wander around the empty site as they like with these thoughts in mind. But, most importantly, they are invited to read there and online about what is happening over the course of the exhibition and wander outside to experience and contribute to works organized in response to the city of Columbus. As each collective takes up residency, a celebration or event will mark the culmination of their work. OFFICE OF COLLECTIVE PLAY is a space and program operating during the course of Descent to Revolution. Located in a formerly vacant storefront space in downtown Columbus, it is a site of artistic production that presents just about anything ranging from reading groups and artist performances to film screenings and informal talks. Participants are encouraged to engage in revolutionary unproductive ways with the city and community. Embracing the dynamic and the unpredictable, the Office of Collective Play contributes to a broader discourse on how play, festival and basic behavioral disruptions undermine dominant capitalist, class and urban frameworks. It located at 155 N. Fifth St., Columbus Visit http://descenttorevolution.info to learn more. -- Olga P Massanet ·························· www.ungravitational.net virtualfirefly.wordpress.com www.vimeo.com/ungravitational _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
