The Southern Caribbean Section of the Association of Art Critics is organizing in December 2008 a seminar in order to swap ideas and opinions on Contemporary Art in the Caribbean, in Martinique (FWI).
This 3-day seminar is intended for professionals who are concerned about the different issues at stake involving Caribbean Contemporary Art : artists, teachers, critics, exhibitors, directors of special places devoted to cultures, gallery owners and journalists.
These experts and specialists of Contemporary Art have been invited to answer a triple objective :
Spreading the word about Caribbean Art is becoming a crucial issue. Characteristics showing incomplete or partial representation are slowing down interchanges on the international circuits and adding to the problem of our geographical position.
At the same time, the organisation and its professional structure are not only showing the weakness of the economic and socio-political situation but also taking specific routes connected with the sense and place of art in these cultures.
Therefore, which are the markets, international and regional organisations, partnerships, networks and tools allowing to structure and professionalise artistic creation originating from French Overseas Regions and/or Caribbean Countries, at national and international levels?
In organising this seminar we hope to obtain a lever to promote joint reflection and action, releasing artistic creation within the French Overseas Regions and the Caribbean countries, thus allowing their enrolment into a wider context. Indeed, this will welcome several specialists from French public or private organisations, art critics, gallery owners, artists, all invited to meet their colleagues from the Caribbean and to exchange ideas on creation, diffusion, occupations as well as developing partnership networks within the French Overseas Regions, Caribbean Countries and mainland France.
Art in the Caribbean : between fighting for identity and international recognition
A shared issue which will be developed and variably treated in terms of reality : depending on the contents and structure of the creation and publicising of Contemporary Art ; professionalisation of actors ; location and media coverage….
Where are Martinique and the Caribbean countries situated in the International Art market ?
Is the International market singular or plural? What criteria does the Caribbean need to fulfil to become eligible? What connections do they need? What needs to be taken into account when deciding between aesthetics and cultural facts?
What is the role of an Art Center (whether public or private) in the Caribbean ?
Troughout examples, tools, media and reference….
The meeting with the artists will be threefold :
Presentation during the seminar
Exhibition
Studio visits
Contact: aica-sc@orange.fr
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