BAK programming combines the artistic, experiential, theoretical, and political so as to imagine and enact transformative ways, with and through art, of being together otherwise. BAK’s current research trajectory Propositions for Non-Fascist Living (2017–2020) is prompted by the dramatic resurfacing and normalization of fascisms, historical and contemporary. BAK organizes exhibitions, lectures, publications, workshops, and composite performative conferences with exhibitionary, discursive, and performative elements.
Series
10 March 2019–05 January 2020
In the series BAK, basis voor…, BAK joins forces with other organizations in addressing shared urgencies and developing propositions for “being together otherwise.” The series is part of the preparatory phase of the forthcoming project Trainings for the Not-Yet, organized by artist Jeanne van Heeswijk and BAK from September 2019–January 2020.
Summer School
22-26 July 2019
BAK Summer School: Art as Politics brings together those involved in arts, academia, and social action to collectively think through, learn about, and imagine critical, politically-informed artistic practices that grasp and influence our dramatically changing times.
Summer School
9-13 September 2019
The Bratislava BAK Summer School: Art as Politics is a collaborative and intensive learning week in Bratislava from 9–13 September 2019, organized in partnership with Open Studio/ Studio IN – Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, APART Collective in Bratislava, and initiated by Kristína Országhová.
Exhibition Project
14 September 2019–12 January 2020
Together with artist Jeanne van Heeswijk, BAK, basis voor actuele kunst presents the project Trainings for the Not-Yet, starting September 2019. The project consists of an exhibition as a series of “community learnings,” performative workshops, artworks, learning objects, and conversations. In the framework of this project, intensive collaborations with (inter)national artists, theorists, and activists take place, as well as collaborations with initiatives and communities based (mainly) in Utrecht.
Education Program
23 September–28 October 2019
From 23 September until 28 October 2019, BAK organizes the course “Art and Politics.” In six weekly sessions, the participants learn about how contemporary art relates to the political in an accessible way. The course is taught by Maria Hlavajova, BAK’s general and artistic director. Deadline for registrations: 17 September 2019.
Education Program
8-29 October 2019
Part of BAK Public Studies, the course Instituting Otherwise, which takes place at BAK, basis voor actuele kunst in Utrecht from 8–29 October 2019, focuses on the possibilities of the (art) institution within and in spite of the current political predicament. The course is taught by Maria Hlavajova, BAK general and artistic director. Deadline for registrations: 2 October 2019.
13-17 November 2019
A week-long series of trainings, lectures, and panels that seek to understand and act upon the current culture wars, co-convened with Sven Lütticken.
Performative Conference
30 June, 16.00–1 July, 00.00 2018
Propositions #6: The Temporary Institute for the Contemporary marks the culmination of a vibrant and inspiring 2017/2018 pilot year of the BAK Fellowship Program. Through conversations, readings, and performances, the BAK Fellows share insights into their respective artistic research itineraries, as well as their common “collective dictionary” project.
Lecture, Conversation
29 May 2007
RIR-presentation by artist Sopawan Boonnimitra in conversation with art theorist Sarat Maharaj.
Education Program
14 December 2018
On 14 December 2018 art historian and activist Lisa Ito gives a workshop “Mapping Histories: Conversing on Visuality and Subalternity” as part of the Royal Academy of Art Non Linear Narrative master’s program. The workshop is held at BAK in the framework of Propositions #7: Evidentiary Methods—the public program in the context of the exhibition Forensic Justice.
Public Editorial Meeting
25 April 2016, 19.00
Third public editorial meeting for Instituting for the Contemporary, with Gerald Raunig, pantxo ramas, Angela Dimitrakaki, Tom Vandeputte, and Sidsel Meineche Hansen.
