The fourth in a series of seminars investigating political engagement through various artistic and cultural practices, in particular dis-engagement, boycotts, or other modes of withdrawal, Who Is Silencing Whom? looks at how non-participation can be, and often is, construed as involuntary censorship, by oneself or others. Among a wide range of instruments for political engagement, the refusal to engage is increasingly exercised by individuals and institutions as they seek alternative ways to account for political conflicts in the fields they’re working in. Who are the censors when cultural producers decide not to engage? When does self-censorship become a legitimate concern for a community, and when does it represent compliance with powers beyond or outside of a community? When is silence unacceptable?

In this lively debate, curators, scholars and artists deconstruct the term of censorship to arrive at a more nuanced and politically effective approach to not speaking, or not speaking directly. In particular, this event addresses persistent arguments that a cultural boycott silences – or isolates – those it is meant to support, that it butts against freedom of speech. Among the speakers are Jennifer Camper, Marguerite Dabaie, Chelsea Haines,Ben Katchor, Svetlana Mintcheva, Eddy Portnoy, Rhoda Rosen, Ari Roth, Bayeté Ross Smith, and Madiha Tahir.

The courageous work of the French journal Charlie Hebdo launches the evening as participants debate violence, self-censorship and cultural sensitivities.

Program
5:30–6:30 pm 
Part 1: Charlie Hebdo
With Jennifer Camper, Marguerite Dabaie, Eddy Portnoy, and Madiha Tahir
Ben Katchor, moderator

7–8:30 pm
Part 2. Self-censorship
With Chelsea Haines, Rhoda Rosen, Ari Roth, and Bayeté Ross Smith
Svetlana Mintcheva, moderator

8:30-9:00 pm Discussion
Who Is Silencing Whom? is seminar IV of the series Assuming Boycott: Resistance, Agency and Cultural Production. Other seminars in this series are  

• The Legacy of the Cultural Boycott in South Africa Thursday, September 18th, 2014 (video documentation here)

• Cultural Production During BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel)  Monday, October 20th, 2014 (video documentation here) 

• Going the Distance: Cultural Work in Far-flung Political and Geographical Spheres Monday, December 1st, 2014

• Who Is Silencing Whom? Censorship and Self-Censorship Monday, January 26, 2015

• Institutional Reviews: What New Forms of Organizations Emerge for Select Engagement with Select Initiatives?Monday, February 23, 2015 

• Marking the Moment: Colloquium on the Efficacy of Current Strategies of Disengagement April 10 and 11, 2015

The program is organized by the Vera List Center for Art and Politics as part of the center's 2013–2015 curatorial focus on Alignment. It is curated by Carin Kuoni, director/curator, Vera List Center, and Laura Raicovich, president and executive director, Queens Museum.

External Link »