Imaginary Accord
11 April–11 July 2015
“What Can Art Institutions Do?”
10–11 July 2015
Institute of Modern Art
420 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley
Brisbane QLD 4006
Australia
T +61 (0) 7 3252 5750
ima [at] ima.org.au
The Institute of Modern Art (IMA) is one of Australia’s oldest independent art galleries, and its history coincides with the development of contemporary art in this country. Its original mission from 1975 was to foster research and experimentation by Australian and international artists through exhibitions and publishing, and to educate the public about contemporary art.
To mark its 40th anniversary, the IMA is currently immersed in a yearlong project, Imaginary Accord, which explores this institution’s historical mission, while imagining what it could mean today and for the future, through an exhibition, a lecture series, a symposium, and a publication. The title suggests that the connection between each artwork, idea, and participant lies initially in the imagination of the curators and artists and finds new form in relation to one another in the minds of audiences. Featuring artworks and contributions by Agency, Vernon Ah Kee, Gerry Bibby with Janet Burchill and Jennifer McCamley, Zach Blas, Ruth Buchanan, Céline Condorelli, Peter Cripps, Sean Dockray, Goldin+Senneby, Raqs Media Collective, Ross Manning, Marysia Lewandowska,and Hito Steyerl, the exhibition phase of the project is growing and changing over time to tease out possible connections and create varied experiences throughout its duration.
Each month in 2015, the Imaginary Accord lecture series “What Can Art Institutions Do?” features artists, curators, and writers, such as Anne Barlow, Charles Esche, Marysia Lewandowska, Maria Lind, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Stephanie Rosenthal, and Adnan Yıldız. In these talks, speakers share ideas, models, and visions for the contemporary art institution and to discuss its shortcomings and challenges. The symposium in mid-July will feature a keynote presentation by Terry Smith and include contributions by Nikos Papastergiadis and Raqs Media Collective.
The Imaginary Accord book, which will be launched online and in print at the end of 2015, will be designed by Leaky Studio, and feature contributions from exhibiting artists and speakers.
Anniversary gala and auction
As part of its 40th anniversary, the IMA is hosting a gala and benefit auction in collaboration with Paddle8 on 23 July. The night will honour artist Robert MacPherson and art historian Dr Nancy Underhill for their visionary contributions to the institution, Brisbane, and Australia, and will raise funds to support future IMA commissions.
For more information about the IMA and Imaginary Accord, please contact Sarah D’Ardenne at sarah [at] ima.org.au, or call +61 (0) 7 3252 5750.
The IMA is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and from the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, and through the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian Federal, State, and Territory Governments. The IMA is a member of Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOs).
Imaginary Accord is supported by the Australia Council of the Arts, Arts Council New Zealand Toi Aotearoa/Creative NZ, Arts Flanders, Brisbane City Council, and the Gordon Darling Foundation. A special thanks to Sims Metal Management.
