Postautonomy.co.uk - Chat Notes

Production outside exhibition structures

Self-Organised Strategies

Mobilising dysfunctionality/failure

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THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE I AND THE WE[WHAT ABOUT NANCY’S DEVELOPMENT OF THEBEING WITH - THE CO-ONTOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OFBEING IN THE WORLD?]

WHEREIN LIES THE BREAK WITH AUTONOMYAND HOW WOULD WE (HAVE?) KNOW(N) IT?

Malleable Forms

Emotional Attachment

DG: [04/11 14:34] So are you looking at building another form of presentation that goes beyond the material form of a stable framework such as an exhibition or Biennial?

[04/11 14:39] so at this point there is not a specific frame that we say OK we will only do this and never an exhibition - so the form and the ways in which we work are quite malleable

[04/11 14:44] In many ways as well, what became interesting was also to see how in some cases informal strategies can work best in terms of engaging with people, perhaps on a more even playing field - without the 'prestige' and dom inance of a major institution[04/11 14:47] So sometimes being "small" can really be an advantage

[04/11 14:52] But when you actually come out and say that autonomy doesnt exist then that triggers off very extreme emotions from people[04/11 14:54] And it is from this point that I am now looking at the set of issues on autonomy, the idea of autonomy as an emotional attachment

[04/11 14:57] That fact makes it difficult to move onto concrete research into other forms of autonomy or a repacement of the term

[04/11 15:07] But aren't all forms of autonomy actually co-autonomous to some degree - meaning that we as potentially autonomous actors are always connected to a larger system of interaction and co-presences

[04/11 15:12] In terms of the break, I thought that it is easier for people to address the process of a break rather than understanding something as complex and difficult as a new model[04/11 15:12] or illusory understanding

[04/11 15:14] KEY TO THE RESEARCH INTO PA IS THE EXPLORATION INTO PARTICIPATION

A PUBLIC LANGUAGE?(HOW TO MAKE THINGS PUBLIC / EXHIBITION / CATALOGUE)

PROBLEM WITH BACHELARDS NOTION OFSELF-DETERMINED EPISTEMOLOGY?

[04/11 15:15] Yes this is a difficult issue, since it also holds the reverse side of the argument - something I also want to explore further, the non-participant[04/11 15:15] but of course the research into different concepts of participation is as fraught with its own problems and complex's

[04/11 15:19] I think there are only really degrees of autonomy, so all forms of

perceived autonomous activity can only be partial in order to still have communica-tive potential

negotiate the terms and language to shape this space

[04/11 15:41] What I worry about in the construction of the "common spaces" is their potential "watered down" consensus problem, if that makes any sense

[04/11 15:42] They could easily become generic - although as a sit a type this, perhaps generic spaces are the ones which can be used as a starting point for discussion

[04/11 15:42] I think you are right, plus the problem that everyone ought to be involved in a project

[04/11 15:52] think if you are involved in testing out or contesting firmly held

beliefs then as Lenin said you are involved in serious disagreement[04/11 15:53] which Ranciere suggests is also where a real democracy lies

[04/11 15:58] In one book he referred to the student strike of 86 (if my memoery is right)[04/11 15:58] That highlights this strategy and tactics difference[04/11 15:58] But I do think this is where many problems with so called collaborative and participatory projects[04/11 15:59] That the students were successful in their demands precisely because they didn't protest AGAINST the 'system' but rather thought OK the 'system' proposed something we don't like

[04/11 16:00] so they worked within the parameters of a system, tactically, in order for change to happen

[04/11 16:02] Many artists have in the past suggested a similar strategy

[04/11 16:07] I'm wondering though, playing the devils advocate, if such 'democratic' examples we chatted about are useful when trying to map out a PA space that doesn't resort to cultural colonisation

[04/11 16:13] Something along these lines came up in Turkey

[04/11 16:16] I am not sure whether it is good enough to say that with these sort of projects where you are trying very hard to think about testing out your own beliefs[04/11 16:17] and at the same time establish a framework for other people to participate in your project[04/11 16:18] I think along the lines of the participatory projects, there has to be space as well, I mean included within the scope of the projects for the non-participants[04/11 16:18] that you are inadvertantly imposing a framework on the "other"[04/11 16:18] Since participation within something means that you have already accepted some limits of how to manouever[04/11 16:20] sure that too..but maybe a so called experiment into democracy ends up turning into cultural dictatorship

[04/11 16:26] Sometimes the conditions for entering a so called collaborative or participatory project are so narrow, rigid and dogmatic that they cannot any longer be called collaborative or participatory[04/11 16:26] Yes, there has to be a place for serious interference - especially within the foundational architecture of how such projects take shape