About
Building Conversation is a platform for Dialogical Art, which concentrates on the meeting of art, conversation and society.
In the dialogical art movement, which came into being in the 1970s, the conversation itself is presented as a work of art. Drawing on this politically engaged artistic practice, Building Conversation develops performances inspired by existing conversational practices from all over the world; from indigenous communities in New Zealand and Canada, to Occupy, Facebook and the root system of trees.
We have great faith in the possibility of actively contributing to the creation of new social and ecological forms of coexistence. We set to work on the basis of an active hope, in spite of and in reaction to the dystopian world described to us by science, politics and the media. In all our work we invite the public to be a co-creator and partner in conversation, the most important aim being to communicate the emancipatory power of the arts to as many people as possible in as many different places in society as possible.
Why The way we participate in social and ecological structures has to change. There is an urgent need for clear and unflinching reflection on the position we occupy, both in the world and in relation to each other. The increasing inequality between people and between man and nature demands a radical review of the value system our coexistence is based on.
Mission Our mission is to activate people to approach their own conversation culture like an artist. We challenge people to take charge of the reflection on and shaping of the way we talk to each other. With the aim of conscious participation in conversation in a dynamic social structure, while keeping in mind all the living beings with whom we coexist.
Vision The art space is a place for life exercises. Here, detached from everyday reality, we can reflect, rethink and reform in a free and experimental space. Practice, rehearsal and sketching are not preparatory side-effects of art, but the essence of what art is and should be. We establish art as an exercise area and as such return it to the world. An exercise area not just for professional artists, but even more for anyone who feels the need to rethink the structures within which they live.
NL
