“Manufactories of Caring Space-Time”

Knowing how to do, knowing how to live… or how to successfully pass on and disseminate new creative approaches in a collective setting: this, in a nutshell, is the basis for reflection adopted in the development of a joint project by three European institutions which consider “thinking art differently” to be an essential part of their mission.

With European support as part of the “Creative Europe” program (2015–17), the three partner institutions—namely, 49 Nord 6 Est - Frac Lorraine in Metz (France), the Museum voor Schone Kunsten in Ghent (Belgium) and the Fundació Antoni Tàpies in Barcelona (Spain)—have created “Manufactories of Caring Space Time” in view of joining forces to re-think modern society, its modes of production, and human relationships. They have worked together with artists and art collectives in order to develop projects with the local communities: Micromuseum with Gorod Ustinov, The Minor Gesture with Selma & Sofiane Ouissi and Objections with Blanca Callen & Soledad Gutiérrez. The experiences of living together have generated guidelines and working methods which are ferried across borders in an effort to spread these practices transnationally.

Two years after the launch of the project, it is time to revisit these experiences and put them into perspective! Attended by all the partners, an international seminar will discuss the issues of participatory artistic practices and the relationships with the public forged through these practices. To approach these questions from an interdisciplinary point of view, guest speakers will be asked to contribute to the debate by sharing their own experiences. We will also talk about the ways in which the project “Manufactories of Caring Space Time” resonates with other disciplines. Last but not least, we will hear the testimonies of those who have engaged with the project—artists, participants, etc.—and learn about the impact it had in every region.

Program
Meetings, open discussions, and experiments: two days to exchange views, share experiences, and of course building a community.

Friday, March 3, 9am-5pm, Free admission
“Forging connections between participatory artistic practices.”
Brief meetings with artists and with partners of the European project: testimonials and sharing of experiences with heads of institutions, curators, anthropologists, scholars, etc… in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
Reservation advisable: T 0033 3 87 74 20 02 / info [​at​] fraclorraine.org

9am: Welcome and introduction / “Manufactories of Caring Space–Time,” European project
Soledad Gutiérrez, independent curator

9:45am: Prelude / Participatory artistic practices: issues & debates
Véronique Goudinoux, Professor of the Humanities and Social Sciences and member of the Centre d’Étude des Arts Contemporains (CEAC) at the Université de Lille

10:30am: Open discussion / An inside look by the project initiators: sharing experiences
Catherine de Zegher, Director of MSK, Ghent
Béatrice Josse, Director of the Magasin des horizons, Grenoble
Laurence Rassel, Director of the École de recherche graphique (erg), Brussels

11:30am: Parallel views / Collaborative participation or co-creation, the space of production
Céline Poulin, Director of the CAC Brétigny

12pm: Parallel views / Participatory practices as part of curatorial projects
Marie Bechetoille, Interim director of the Centre d’art contemporain—La Synagogue de Delme

2pm: Practical analysis / Using interviews in artistic protocols
Ophélie Naessens, Lecturer in fine arts, Université de Lorraine

2:30pm: Feedback / Building a community: utopia or reality?
As workshop participants, disseminators of artistic protocols, and socio-cultural actors, artists pull their community together and question the nature of the relationships forged in the course of the project.

3:45pm: Crossing disciplines / Objects in society/societies
Thierry Bonnot, anthropologist, research coordinator at CNRS

4:15pm: Feedback / Forging relationships through objects
Soledad Gutiérrez, independent curator

Saturday, March 4, 10am–4pm, Free admission
Participatory workshops
Take part in workshops conducted by three art collectives invited to test their protocols, and enjoy the opportunity to experience Manufactories. Three workshops, three sessions, limited number of places, so sign up right now for a full day of attractions, excitement, and above all sharing.
Register at: T 0033 3 87 74 20 02 / info [​at​] fraclorraine.org