This foundational conversation on the Cercle d'Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise (CATPC) will provide an overview of CATPC activities and collaborators in Congo and within the international contemporary art world. Looking closely at the works of individual artists of the group, panelists will address the stakes of self-representation in artwork made by CATPC members and their economic implications, notably with respect to the methods of production, circulation and publicity that are integral to the meaning and reception of the works.

The final part of the discussion includes responses by a select group of scholars whose work addresses the issues and questions engaged by CATPC -- as a lived reality, as well as a discursive proposal. Topics will include the history of plantation economies and their role today, the potential of art for social and economic change, institution building and collectivity, and the politics of representation.

Conference participants include Ariella Azoulay, Brown University; Simon Gikandi, Princeton University; Eléonore Hellio, CATPC; David Joselit, The Graduate Center, City University of New York; Matthieu Kilapi Kasiama, CATPC; Ruba Katrib, SculptureCenter; Renzo Martens, Institute for Human Activities; and Michael Taussig, Columbia University.

This program is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. RSVP by clicking here.

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