Imagine that art is systemically relevant to the extent that it is not systemically relevant, as it does not answer to any system, does not support any system, and is not supported by any system, but is fundamentally critical to the system – and is therefore of great socio-political importance, particularly in moments of crisis. Art deserves financial and organisational support for its mere existence, as a test tube for culture, a place for free debate, a way of exploring the world, a safe yet experimental playground for social exchange and the negotiation of present and future – if indeed the latter is even possible.
Art and Courage explores the term “systemically relevant” in three chapters. The material aspect is made up of a service table, cleaning items, drawings, and three “construction site radios”. When switched on, the latter sound out different instructions to be “performed” by the visitors.
Photo: eSeL.at – Lorenz Seidler
Hannes Egger 