(Berlin) – 2026-01-10 07:39:00 – A lecture series examining teh intersection of art and political activism, focusing on responses to Brexit and contemporary initiatives in Berlin, began in December 2024.
The “Talks on Curational and Artistic Practice” series provides a forum for critical discussion on evolving curatorial methods and the increasing role of art in shaping political discourse.
- A series of discussions on curatorial and artistic practice launched in Berlin in December 2024.
- The talks analyze how artists are responding to and influencing political realities, with a focus on brexit and Berlin-based activism.
- The OnCurating Academy Berlin is hosting the series, aiming to foster collaboration among curators, artists, and cultural workers.
Forms of artistic engagement with political debates are now commonplace,appearing in exhibitions,auctions,and public spaces,according to data released by the OnCurating Academy Berlin. These forms are no longer considered “provocative” but have become integrated into mainstream art and institutionalized practices.
The activist Turn in Contemporary Art
The lecture series examines what organizers describe as an “activist turn” in contemporary art, specifically through artistic responses to the Brexit referendum and current activist initiatives in Berlin. The discussions are based on both art and political theory,analyzing how artists are dealing with and shaping political realities.
The “Talks on Curational and Artistic Practice” are being held by the OnCurating Academy Berlin and Dorothee Richter at the Radialsystem. The academy describes itself as an international postgraduate programme and platform dedicated to strengthening the community of aspiring curators,artists,and cultural workers.
the series focuses on developing cooperative and interdisciplinary working methods, emphasizing that curating involves creating innovative structures for presenting cultural artifacts through collaboration. Organizers note that in curatorial practice, art, digital media, design, and architecture are increasingly intertwined, requiring constant reevaluation.
Why it Matters
The increasing institutionalization of activist art reflects a broader trend of artists engaging directly with political and social issues. this series of talks, and others like it, are important because they provide a space for critical examination of these practices and their impact. The focus on Brexit and berlin offers a comparative lens, highlighting how artists in different contexts are responding to important political events.This shift towards activist art also challenges conventional notions of art’s role in society, moving it beyond purely aesthetic concerns to address pressing real-world issues.
Time.news based this report on information released by the OnCurating Academy Berlin and added autonomous analysis and context.
Why: The lecture series began as a response to the growing trend of artists directly engaging with political and social issues, particularly in the wake of Brexit and within the context of Berlin’s activist scene. It aims to provide a platform for critical discussion and analysis of this “activist turn” in contemporary art.
Who: The series is organized by the OnCurating Academy Berlin and Dorothee Richter, and held at the Radialsystem. Participants include curators, artists, and cultural workers. The OnCurating Academy describes itself as an international postgraduate program dedicated to strengthening the community of aspiring cultural professionals.
what: The “Talks on Curational and Artistic Practice” is a lecture series examining the intersection of
