FYI: Alternative Economics, Alternative Societies

[Henk Elegeert]

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http://www.ressler.at/

"

Alternative Economics, Alternative Societies

After the loss of a countermodel for capitalism - which
socialism, in its real, existing form had presented until
its collapse - alternative concepts for economic and social
development are facing difficulties at the beginning of the
twenty-first century. In the industrial nations,
"alternatives" are only broadly discussed when they do not
question the existing power relations of the capitalist
system and representative democracies. Other socio-economic
approaches are, on the other hand, labeled utopian,
devalued, and excluded from serious discussion if even
considered at all.

In the framework of the theme-specific installation,
"Alternative Economics, Alternative Societies," the focus is
on diverse concepts and models for alternative economies and
societies which all share a rejection by the capitalist
system of rule. For each concept, an interview was carried
out from which an English video was produced. In the
exhibition, these single-channel 20 to 37 minute videos are
each shown on a separate monitor thus forming the central
element of the artistic installation.

The project presents alternative social and economic models
such as "Inclusive Democracy" from Takis Fotopoulos (GB/GR),
"Participatory Economy" from Michael Albert (U.S.A.), and
"Free Cooperation" from Christoph Spehr (G). Nancy Folbre
(U.S.A.) speaks about her concept of "Caring Labor," Marge
Piercy (U.S.A.) discusses the feminist-anarchist utopias of
her social fantasies, p.m. (CH) discusses "bolo'bolo," and
John Holloway (MEX/GB) talks about his ideas of how to
"Change the World Without Taking Power." As interesting
historical models, the workers' self-management in
Yugoslavia in the sixties and seventies are thematized in
the exhibition by Todor Kuljic (SCG) and the workers'
collectives during the Spanish Civil War (1936-38) by Salomé
Moltó (E).

Chosen for each video is one quotation significant for the
alternative model that it presents. The quote is placed
directly on the floor of the exhibition room as a several
meter long text piece. This floor lettering, made from
adhesive film, leads exhibition visitors directly to the
corresponding videos, yet the quotes also overlap one
another and subdivide the room into different sections.

The exhibition project will be continually expanded in the
coming years through further economic and social concepts.
These form a non-hierarchically arranged pool, which offers
stimulus and suggestions for contemplation of social
alternatives and possibilities for action.

The installation "Alternative Economics, Alternative
Societies" has been/will be realized within the following
exhibitions:


Galerija Skuc, Ljubljana (SI), 30.10.-23.11.03 ("Alternative
Economics,...")
Espace Forde, Genève (CH), 06.-19.12.03 ("There is no
Alternative")
Kunstraum der Universität Lüneburg (D), 08.-16.01.04
("Alternative Economics,...")
Transmediale.04, Berlin (D), 31.01.-15.02.04 ("fly utopia!")
O.K - Center for Contemporary Art, Linz (A), 11.03.-02.05.04
("Open House")
Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Wien (A), 16.06.-24.07.04 ("permanent
produktiv")
Itaucultural Institute, Sao Paulo (BR), 01.07.-26.09.04
("Emoção Art.ficial II - Divergências Tecnológicas")
Sorlandets Kunstmuseum, Kristiansand (N), 06.07.-15.08.04
("Detox 04. Crossover Jam Culture")
Wyspa Progress Foundation, Gdansk (PL), 03.09.-03.10.04
("Health and Safety")
Conde Duque Cultural Centre, MediaLabMadrid, Madrid (E), ab
30.10.04
Forum Stadtark, Graz (A), Steirischer Herbst,
08.10.-07.11.04 ("There must be an alternative", kuratierte
Ausstellung von O. Ressler)
...
"

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