Art and the Artworld after 9/11
Panel discussion with Rhodessa Jones, Don Bajema, Sara Shelton Mann, Marcus Shelby, Val Hendrickson and Lisbeth Haas. Moderated by Elaine Katzenberger

Wednesday, February 6, 7 PM
$5-7 sliding scale admission

As we navigate the shifting terrain we find ourselves in post-9/11, artists (a category meant in this case to include writers, visual artists, dancers, musicians, filmmakers, performance artists, etc.) face many important and perplexing questions, among them: What has changed about the social context for artistic work? How does the question of “relevance” (or fear of “irrelevance”) enter into this? Where is the dividing line between self-censorship and a healthy re-evaluation of creative tactics and content? Can work that isn’t overtly political/socially engaged be considered anything other than “decorative?” How does all of this impact aesthetic choices and/or the ability to follow through on ideas?

What space does art occupy in the public discourse, and how can this be improved upon? How would we begin to change the perception of art as a cultural luxury item to that of an integral and important contribution to social process? What is the real potential for creative work to contribute to or affect social change?
How are concepts of community and accountability being tested, both personal and artistic? What are the tensions between individual efforts and freedoms and the commitment to a network of creative action? What are the possibilities for an artistic “resistance” and what might the actions be?

An evening of public discussion will engage four multi-disclipinary artists -- Rhodessa Jones, Don Bajema and Sara Shelton Mann – in an exploration of these issues. The audience will also be invited into the process, with the intention of creating an open dialogue that brings previously private conversations and thoughts into the public sphere where they can inform, and potentially inspire, us all.

Moderated by Elaine Katzenberger, Associate Publisher of City Lights Books.