The Utopia & Europa Salons are organised within the context of CONTOUR 7, a Moving Image Biennale in Mechelen curated by Nicola Setari. CONTOUR 7 is dedicated to the humanist and statesman Thomas More, who died a martyr and was the author of probably the most debated book in political theory, Utopia.
The Utopia & Europa Salons take inspiration from the questions at the heart of More's Utopia. They are hosted in a specially designed structure placed in the physical proximity of the first and third edition of More’s Utopia, which are presented in the exhibition spaces of CONTOUR 7. The central question the salon addresses is the role of artists, writers and thinkers in Europe today. How do their utopian ideas form an essential contribution to the realisation of the common good? And how do they contribute to Europe’s search for a contemporary narrative?
The Utopia & Europa Salon is organised also in the framework of the European Commission's New Narrative for Europe actions with a focus on young people in countries of the European Union. New Narrative for Europe is an initiative that engages the cultural, scientific and artistic sectors in the ongoing discussion on the many narratives on Europe.
Info on New Narrative for Europe
UTOPIA & EUROPA SALON #3 - 28 OCTOBER 2015
“ON THE RELEVANCE OF THE RENAISSANCE FOR CONTEMPORARY EUROPE”
Participants |
Andrea Büttner - Visual Artist
Patricia Falguières - Art Philosopher
A Dog Republic
Nicola Setari - Curator CONTOUR 7
Program |
17:00 – 17:45
Masterclass Andrea Büttner (in Cultuurcentrum Mechelen)
17:45 – 18:00
Move to CONTOUR 7-venue Hof van Busleyden
18:30 – 19:00
Lecture Patricia Falguières
19:00 – 19:30
Debate moderated by Nicola Setari
19:30 – 21:00
Screening La Bataille du Rail (extended Let’s Talk Peace! version) with live soundtrack
Regie: A Dog Republic & René Clément Scenario: Kopec & René Clément Cast: Jean Clarieux, Jean Daurand, Jacques Desagneaux, & Yona Friedman Mounting: Jean-Baptiste Decavèle & Nico Dockx Producer: Balkis Berger-Dobermann Photography: Jean-Baptiste Decavèle & Nico Dockx Sound/ Music: Helena Sidiropoulos, Lamont Stigler, Krist Torfs & Dave Vanderplas Mix: Bert Aerts Genre: documentary / fiction Duration: 90' 1945, 2014-5 France/ Belgium/ Thailand
The film/performance La Bataille du Rail (extended Let’s Talk Peace! version) is produced and made possible by Beaufort Beyond Borders 2015
The Masterclass of Andrea Büttner is also made possible thanks to the support of Goethe Institut
UTOPIA & EUROPA SALON #2 - 14 OCTOBER 2015
“THE EUROPEAN UNION: EUTOPIA OR DYSTOPIA FOR EGALITARIANS?”
Participants |
Philippe Van Parijs – political philosopher
Chiara Fumai – performance- and videoartist
Nedko Solakov – visual artist
Moderator |
Hilde Van Gelder – art historian
Program |
17:00 – 18:30
Free entrance to CONTOUR 7 venue Hof van Busleyden
18:30 – 18:45
Lecture-performance Chiara Fumai
18:45 – 19:00
Skype session Nedko Solakov
19:00 – 19:30
Lecture Philippe Van Parijs
19:30 – 20:00
Debate moderated by Hilde Van Gelder
UTOPIA & EUROPA SALON #1 - 7 OCTOBER 2015
“ON THE QUESTION OF GOOD COUNCIL TO THE POWERFUL”
Participants |
Luuk van Middelaar – political philosopher
Fabrice Hyber – contemporary visual artist
Ingo Niermann – writer, novelist and artist
Moderator |
Chus Martínez – curator, art historian and philosopher
Program |
17:00 – 18:30
Free entrance to CONTOUR 7 venue Hof van Busleyden
18:30 – 20:00
Utopia & Europa Salon #1 with Luuk van Middelaar, Fabrice Hyber and Ingo Niermann, moderated by Chus Martínez, introduction by Nicola Setari.
