19.04.2016 – 19:00

Aleksei Tolstov

Who will buy my beliefs?

Possibilities of monetisation of political artistic practice in Belarus.

Non-academic discussion.

Few of contemporary Belarusian artists touch the political issue in their art. Politics is left in the shadows, radical statements are very rare. In the circumstances of authoritarian governmental system, the authors often try to avoid problems, which can result from its critics, as well as from political discussion in general. Also there is a widely spread view, that politics as a “dirty affair” desacrilises art, deprives it from perfection, deromantisises the creator, turning him or her into an ordinary citizen. Political topics are developed with caution and with a share of insurance.

Along with that, articulating their position, artist can face problems, and not only from state repressive apparatus. The market of contemporary art in Belarus is very small, and is unconditionally dominated by proven mediums. Monetisation of video, performance, mediascape and other forms is practically impossible. There are even fewer chances to make money from auctionism and other practices, which are often used for political statements.

Does a Belarusian artist want to talk about politics? Is there a possibility to make the living out of their political creed? Can a political statement be a product in demand, and which form of it then will be most attractive? To what extent political art can be incorporated into the market at all, and where is the borderline between the creed and commerce?

I suggest gathering for all the interested for discussion of this issue. First of all, I’d like to invite practitioners and artists who care. The discussion will not have a strictly defined structure, thorough theoretical knowledge are not obligatory, however, the participation of specialists is very welcome.