The public sphere is an ideological construct that must be constantly reinvented and redefined. The impact of neoliberal forces is compelling even art and its institutions to reinvent, reformulate or re-legitimize their public dimension and involvement. For both art and art institutions, after all, still manifest themselves at the sufferance of the public, the audience. They cannot avoid re-examining what is public and why, who the audience is and where it is situated, and how they wish to relate to it. Do they dare become part of ‘the political’, or do they let themselves become instruments of market players and party politics?

Authors: Chantal Mouffe, Sven Lütticken, Simon Sheikh, Nina Montmann, Jan Verwoert, Florian Waldvogel, Gerard Drosterij, Bik Van der Pol, 16 Beaver Group, BAVO

The public sphere is an ideological construct that must be constantly reinvented and redefined. The impact of neoliberal forces is compelling even art and its institutions to reinvent, reformulate or re-legitimize their public dimension and involvement. For both art and art institutions, after all, still manifest themselves at the sufferance of the public, the audience. They cannot avoid re-examining what is public and why, who the audience is and where it is situated, and how they wish to relate to it. Do they dare become part of ‘the political’, or do they let themselves become instruments of market players and party politics?

This edition of Open is concerned with the diverse stands currently being adopted by the visual arts within the public domain and is a stock-taking and evaluation of positions. How does contemporary art respond to being exposed to the public limelight? What role do the visual arts fulfil in civic life? What is the public role of the artist? How does art enhance public space?

Authors: Chantal Mouffe, Sven Lütticken, Simon Sheikh, Nina Montmann, Jan Verwoert, Florian Waldvogel, Gerard Drosterij, Bik Van der Pol, 16 Beaver Group, BAVO