“IT IS FORBIDDEN NOT TO PARTICIPATE”

Join us for a symposium organized by Guest Curator Estrellita B. Brodsky and PAMM Chief Curator Tobias Ostrander on the occasion of the exhibition Julio Le Parc: Form into Action—the first comprehensive museum survey of Le Parc’s work in the United States. Le Parc is a central figure to the history of participatory and kinetic art.

As a founding member of the artist collective Groupe de Recherche d’Art Visuel (GRAV)—an artist collective active in Paris from 1960 to 1968—Le Parc has long challenged the idea of the absolute, fixed work of art, favoring collaborative experimentation. His undertakings are closely related to GRAV’s collective attempts to create innovative situations that engage more diverse audiences. Inspired by Le Parc’s work and interests, this symposium focuses on contemporary collaborative and participatory practices that are parallel to GRAV’s politically charged initiatives. 

Morning session: 10am–12pm
Presentation by Valerie Hillings, Curator and Manager, Curatorial Affairs, Abu Dhabi Project at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and author of the essay “‘IT IS FORBIDDEN NOT TO PARTICIPATE’: Le Parc and Groupe De Recherche d’Art Visuel (1960–68)” published in the exhibition catalog Julio Le Parc: Form into Action. She will examine Le Parc’s participation with GRAV and how their collaborative projects challenged museum spaces and audiences. Artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will also participate in this panel and discuss his interactive works as they relate to legacies of kinetic art, experiments in perception, surveillance, and critical engagement.

Afternoon session: 2–4pm
Talk by Nato Thompson, Chief Curator for Creative time in New York and author of the recent book Culture As Weapon, and artist Andrea Bowers, who will discuss her recent projects involving histories of political representation and activism. This panel will focus on the aesthetics and politics of participation. Destabilization, play, and engaging the body of the viewer are discussion points for this panel and connect to Le Parc’s aim to link art to each viewer-participant’s imagination and creative possibilities; how he has continually looked to increase the public’s self-awareness through spontaneous playful actions.

Open to the public. Free with museum admission.
Space is limited. First come, first seated.
education [​at​] pamm.org

Organization and support
Julio Le Parc: Form into Action is organized by Guest Curator Estrellita B. Brodsky. Yamil Le Parc serves as Artistic Advisor on the project. It is coordinated at PAMM by Chief Curator Tobias Ostrander with the support of Curatorial Assistant Jennifer Inacio. This exhibition is presented by Citi. Additional support has been provided by Hermès of Paris, Art & Art Collection, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Lead individual support received from Patrick and Jaleh Peyton and Patricia and William Kleh. Support for the catalogue from Galeria Nara Roesler and additional support from Faena Art, Cultural Services of the French Embassy, and from the J. W. Marriott Marquis Miami is also gratefully acknowledged.