Aesthetics Jam, Satellite Project, Taipei Biennial 2014
The project Aesthetics Jam intends to explore topical potentialities of an alternative and more strategic manner of signification of the artistic domain. For that reason, the project deliberately refers back to the concept of aesthetics. Since current thinkers such as Alain Badiou and Jacques Rancière have initiated to redefine the aesthetic regime, aesthetics seems to point again to extra-territorial frameworks able to avoid the production of instrumentalizing concepts. Thus, aesthetics appears to be extremely compatible with what was once advocated by artistic research, i.e. the self-reflexive and self-critical capacities of artists engaging in processes of understanding and signification.
A multitude of perspectives could be opened up - all attempting to avoid a disciplining will to knowledge. Could a novel concept of aesthetics reveal different forms of interests in and processes of artistic thinking? Could “experimental aesthetics" as an undisciplinary methodology distinctive from a theoretical and academic philosophy again be in the forefront of fine art research?”
To answer the above questions the curators developed an experimental and dynamic format. On the ground floor of the Taipei Fine Art Museum (gallery D) they organise a project that will continually be redesigned and discussed by the participating artists. The starting point is a so-called zero degree situation in which a number of works will be exhibited that according to the curators, offer a clear contribution to the debate on the position and situation of the concept of aesthetics.
After the opening five artists are invited to produce new work in the exhibition space for a period of three weeks. Production of these works will be facilitated by the TFAM museum and TNUA (Taipei National University of the Arts). During the work process the five artists will discuss how to realize a new exhibition based on their newly produced works plus a selection of works from the zero degree arrangement. Prior to the opening of the exhibition a public event will take place at which the participating artists will further discuss their works and the presentation.
The presentation will then be displayed for two weeks. Afterwards a second and a third group of five artists will go through a similar process. At the opening of the third group’s exhibition (December 13, 2014) the entire process will be evaluated and a publication will be presented.
There will also be weekly presentations/screenings (Wednesday afternoons, 4pm) during the entire period at the Taipei National University of the Arts.
The project Aesthetics Jam is made possible by support of the Taipei National University of the Arts, HKU Utrecht University of the Arts and Mondriaan Fund