At a time when galleries are closed and access to physical artworks is limited it is perhaps not surprising that we should be turning our attention to Public Art. Central Saint Martins and Art Academy of Latvia will be collaborating on a series of public talks that unpick the history and context of public art from the distinct perspectives of each institution. Each talk will have a speaker from the United Kingdom and Latvia and together with MA Fine Art students from both institutions will address the parallel and distinct tradition of Public Art in both countries. Each talk will explore a key theme in relation to the subject bringing together perspectives from opposite ends of the European Continent.

The third talk series “Activism: The power of political art“ is going live on 25th February at 14:00 UK time (16:00 LV time).

For the third in the series of the Public Encounters talks we will looking at the interface between public art and activism. Both make use of public space to engage audiences, however traditional constructions of framing of public art often conflict with the immediacy and politically challenging nature of activism. What new opportunities for have been created in recent years that might allow the two spheres to converge and what challenges still exist to producing a politically challenging public arts programme that can address issues of the day?

Key speakers: Krista Burāne and Esi Eshun

Students: Elīne Buka (AAL), Lauren Goldie (CSM), Laura Šterna (AAL), Josefine Hübler (CSM)

Please join us on 25/02/21 at 14:00 UK time 16:00 Latvian time on the following link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89444688667?pwd=R2JsLzZTbUtCRHgyL2NvWWFobENsdz09

ID: 894 4468 8667
Passcode: 301143

The public talk programme is a part of collaborative project between Central Saint Martins and Art Academy of Latvia

The programme is as follows:
Activism: The power of political art 25/02/2021
Site: discovering new space for public art   11/03/2021