Lecture series: Facing Forward #7 'FUTURE'S FUTURE'

Following the successful lecture series and publications “Right About Now: Art & Theory in the 1990s” and “Now is the Time: Art & Theory in the 21st Century”, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam, de Appel arts centre, W139, the Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam, and Metropolis M, jointly present a new series of lectures and debates: "Facing Forward: Art & Theory from a Future Perspective."

This series and its forthcoming publication will discuss art and theory of the future, focusing on seven themes that together envision possible futures for contemporary art and theory, and offering innovative models and strategies with which to look at our collective future.

Over the course of seven evenings, renowned international speakers will share their perspectives on the topics of Future Tech, Future Image, Future History, Future Freedom, Future Museum, Future City and ultimately, Future’s Future.

Part 7: "Future's Future"

Sprekers: Maria Barnas, Hassnae Bouazza, Maarten Doorman, Melissa Gronlund, Metahaven, Snejanka Mihaylova, Katharina Neuburger, Patricia Pisters, Ding Ren, Simon Rogers, Oona Strathern, Timotheus Vermeulen, Juha van‘t Zelfde en vele anderen.

Moderator: Ann Demeester

The seventh and last evening of lectures and debates in the lecture series Facing Forward: Art & Theory from a Future Perspective on the theme FUTURE’S FUTURE will take place on Thursday 31 May. During this evening a large number of speakers will present their views in short lectures ranging from speculative reflections to visionary predictions. In this way the theme FUTURE’S FUTURE is given a broad treatment, and the evening of lectures will serve as a think tank for the pressing question: how should we look forward?

Our contemporary view of the world is changing rapidly, due to drastic shifts in power relations, discourses, and the role of technology and communication in everyday life. Given the current state of global affairs – revolutions in the Arab world, the rise of populism and neoliberalism in Western Europe, the shift of global power from Europe and North-America to Asia and Latin America, and the primacy of mass communication methods, to name just a few important recent developments – the future has become increasingly precarious. To face forward is not that simple anymore. How are we able to look at the future when the present is so uncertain and unstable? And if we do fix our gaze on the horizon, what and how do we see – is it utopia or dystopia, a purely speculative view or a mere extrapolation of current events? Ultimately, can the future be a productive model for visualizing contemporary power structures, global shifts, and changing relations?

Take the conformation e-mail with you to the event. This is your entrance ticket.

See here for more info.