Founded in 2003, Manifesta Journal is an international journal focusing on the practices and theories of contemporary curatorship. It seeks to explore and analyze current developments in curatorial work, in correspondence with the evolution of the Manifesta Biennial over the course of the past editions of the biennial. The main aim of Manifesta Journal is to give a stronger voice to an up-and-coming group of curators, intellectuals, theorists and critics, and to function as a platform for the articulation and discussion of their positions within a pan-European and transcontinental context. Following the first issue of this new series, The Grammar of the Exhibition, published in December 2009, Manifesta Foundation is now presenting the second of six issues of Manifesta Journal. Manifesta Journal #8: Collective Curating Anticipating the curatorial model of the upcoming Manifesta 8, which will open on October 2, 2010 in the region of Murcia, Spain, Manifesta Journal #8 concentrates on the topic of collective curating. By appointing the curatorial collectives tranzit.org (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia), Alexandria Contemporary Arts Forum (Egypt) and Chamber of Public Secrets (Scandinavia and Middle East) to form the curatorial team of Manifesta 8 instead of inviting individual art professionals, Manifesta Foundation is stimulating a collaborative work method connecting different geo-political regions, an ethos and objective reflected in MJ#8. An outstanding group of authors has been invited to contribute to the MJ#8. Within the section Positions, Raqs Media Collective, curators of Manifesta 7′s Ex-Alumix in Bolzano, Trentino – Alto Adige, describe their approach towards collectivity and collective work. Vít Havránek, who, together with tranzit.org, forms one of the three curatorial collectives of Manifesta 8, focuses on the micro-politics of curating by characterizing the three components of curatorial activity: theory, practice and reality. In the section Discourse, Katharina Schlieben’s essay “The Crux of Polyphonic Language, or the Thing as Gathering” discusses the antagonism and polyphony of the different actors within a collective. Within the section Studies, Mexico City-based curator Magali Arriola gives an insight into the evolution of collaborative practices within several biennials, including Documenta, the Venice Biennale and Maurizio Cattelan`s 6th Caribbean Biennial. The section Mapping features a text by Chamber of Public Secrets, the second curatorial collective of Manifesta 8 contributing to this issue. In their text they provide an overview of active collectives and collaborative artistic activities in Europe. Finally, the section Documents presents the reprint of a historical interview with Jean Leering, former director of the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, in which Leering argues for the importance of working collaboratively. MJ#8 includes contributions by: Magali Arriola, Jelle Bouwhuis, Chamber of Public Secrets (Alfredo Cramerotti, Rían Lozano and Khaled Ramadan), Vít Havránek and tranzit.org, Jean Leering, Julia Moritz, Paul O`Neill, Alexei Penzin, Raqs Media Collective, Michele Robecchi, Katharina Schlieben, Yulia Tikhonova and What, How and for Whom (WHW). The editorial team of Manifesta Journal is composed of: Chief Editor: Viktor Misiano, Moscow (RU) Senior Editor: Nathalie Zonnenberg, Amsterdam (NL) Associate Editor: Filipa Ramos, Milan (I) / London (UK) Managing Editor: Lisa Mazza, Amsterdam (NL) / Bolzano (I) Manifesta Journal is an initiative of the Manifesta Foundation, Amsterdam and is published together with Silvana Editoriale Spa, Milano. Launch MJ#8 On June 11, 2010 from 10.00-14.00, the launch of the MJ#8 on “Collective Curating” will be held at Clärchens Ballhaus (Auguststraße 24, Berlin-Mitte) at the Manifesta 8 brunch. Upcoming Issue Manifesta Journal’s upcoming issue will focus on History in the Present (MJ#9, July 2010). Reprint The reprint of the first series of Manifesta Journal in the format of two books (MJ#1-3 and MJ#4-6) is available at the Manifesta Foundation. For further information please contact Lisa Mazza (Managing Editor): lisa@manifesta.org For subscriptions & general information Manifesta Foundation Prinsengracht 175 hs 1015 DS Amsterdam The Netherlands E-mail: subscription@manifesta.org Tel: +31 20 672 1435 www.manifestajournal.org For orders Silvana Editoriale Via Margherita de Vizzi, 86 20092 Cinisello Balsamo (Milano) Italy Barbara Belloli E-mail barbara.belloli@silvanaeditoriale.it Tel: +39 02 61836394 www.silvanaeditoriale.it The Manifesta Journal is made possible through the support and collaboration of: