Out now: Collectively Annotated Bibliography: On Artistic Practices in the Expanded Field of Public Art

Please join us for the release of the book and digital version of Collectively Annotated Bibliography: On Artistic Practices in the Expanded Field of Public Art. The Visible project (Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto/Fondazione Zegna) was commissioned by the Public Art Agency Sweden to conduct research on the relationship between theory and socially engaged artistic practices. Compiled and edited by Judith Wielander and Matteo Lucchetti, the 150 different materials reflect a decolonial perspective that takes into account the biases, privileges and power positions of those who have dictated the dominant perspectives on art history so far.

We invite you to join us for the launch of the annotated bibliography with an online discussion between two contributors to the publication, Emanuele Coccia (Associate Professor of Philosophy at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales) and Gabi Ngcobo (curator and educator based in Johannesburg), as well as Patrick Amsellem (Director of the Public Art Agency Sweden), Rebecka Katz Thor (Editor of In-depth Materials and Reflection at the Public Art Agency Sweden) and Judith Wielander and Matteo Lucchetti, (Visible project curators). The debate will also feature video statements by artists Sandi Hilal, Pedro Reyes and Elizabeth Povinelli (Karrabing Film Collective).

The publication and digital platform are the result of a longstanding commitment by the Public Art Agency Sweden to issues of knowledge production in terms of collective and critical work in the expanded field of public art. In the spring of 2019, we invited the Visible project to compile an annotated bibliography, that is, a classic bibliography with brief explanations of the major themes of each book. The annotated bibliography is introduced via conversations with a philosopher (Emanuele Coccia), an academic researcher (Andrea Phillips) and an independent curator (Gabi Ngcobo). They reflect on what creating a bibliography that informs and inspires artistic practices in the extended field of public art means today.

At the core of this Collectively Annotated Bibliography are the ten curators and researchers from diverse backgrounds and contexts who have been invited to suggest the titles that are most representative of the current debate on the present and future of art in the public domain. Each bibliographical note is supplied by one or more quotes—some in their original language—and links to the publishers or reviews to explore topics addressed in the suggested books in more detail.

Contributors:

Miguel A. López, Lu Pey-Yi, Julia Morandeira Arrizabalaga, Narawan Kyo Pathomvat, RAW Material Company, Sheila Sheik, Pelin Tan, Meenakshi Thirukode, Joanna Warsza, Vivian Ziherl.

As the editors write in their introduction: "Perhaps this annotated bibliography represents a possible alliance that departs from the bookshelves of our living rooms while we are experiencing isolation and social distancing in the solitude of our homes. The bonds that this research visualises across book suggestions and urgencies of our times is already an extended field where art practices for the common good are planting new seeds."

Since 1937, the Public Art Agency Sweden has explored and developed the interaction between contemporary art and public spaces. Through site-specific art, temporary interventions, urban development projects and discussions and publications, we strive to contribute to the development of both contemporary art and public spaces.

Visible (by Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto and Fondazione Zegna) is a project that has researched, produced and sustained socially engaged artistic practices in a global context since 2010.