Leire Vergara
Date: Wednesday, 13 February, 2008
Time: 18:00
ISP Oslo Studio 4
Back entrance
Wergelandsveien 17
Oslo
Leire Vergaras talk will focus on the different processes of transformation, reconstruction, loss and recuperation that are set in motion from the very precise moment the event or the artistic action starts to take place. The focal point of the conference will be to analyse specific current curatorial strategies that deal with certain exercises of past re-enactment, giving special attention to the documents that substitute the lost action.
Specific moments within some artistic practices will be contextualised first, in order to evaluate later the aesthetical transformations activated through different curatorial models that deal with past practices from a contemporary perspective. The examples will cover the walks of Robert Smithson in 1960s, Jorge Oteiza's abandonment of the medium of sculpture in the early 60s and his commitment to a more collective and applied artistic practice, and finally the Reconstruction happenings of Zdzislaw Sosnowski in collaboration with Janusz Haka and Jacek Drabik in 1973 in Polish Communist era.
Leire Vergara is the exhibitions curator at Sala Rekalde, a contemporary art space in Bilbao. From 2002 to 2005, she co-directed together with Peio Aguirre the independent art production structure D.A.E (Donostiako Arte Ekinbideak) with base in Donostia-San Sebastián. During this period, artists such as Phil Collins, Susan Philipsz, Asier Mendizabal, Asier Pérez, Ainara García, Iñaki Garmendia, Jakob Kolding and Lise Harlev developed new productions. She participated together with Peio Aguirre, Gorka Eizagirre and Xabier Salaberria in Manifesta 5, Donostia-San Sebastián with the research project Film Ideal Siempre. She has participated in educational workshops and projects such as Dispositive Workshop at Kunstverein München (2004) and Cork Caucus, Cork (2005) and has been involved in the coordination of two workshops in Arteleku: We rule the school, (September–October 2005) and Enthusiasm, (February 2006). She has contributed in art and cultural magazines and art catalogues.
The Office for Contemporary Art Norway runs an International Visitor Program to support international curators and cultural producers in their research in Norway for upcoming exhibitions and projects. Participation in the programme is by invitation although requests for visits are considered based on availability when addressed to OCA.
The Office for Contemporary Art Norway is a private foundation and was founded by The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in fall 2001. The main aim of the Office for Contemporary Art Norway is to develop collaborations in contemporary art between Norway and the international art scene. The Office for Contemporary Art Norway aims to become a profiled contributor to the discourses of contemporary art.