The Arts of Resistance Event

August 25 - September 2 2024: International Exchange and Workshops, University of Applied Arts Vienna

15:30-17:30 Guided tour through the neighbourhood
17:30-20:00 Concert and Conversation with Robert Rotifer

The Arts of Resistance is an interdisciplinary project that uniquely combines artistic research, political and cultural youth education, and remembrance cultures. This long-term initiative brings together artists, scientists, art institutions, and NGOs in international exchange meetings. Here, young people are engaged in co-creative thought processes and artistic practice, focusing on resistance against (European) fascisms.  The pilot project Art Works! European Culture of Resistance and Liberation (2019-21) delved into songs, poems, graffiti, and other artefacts related to the theme of resistance and liberation from fascisms between 1939 and 1945\. These works of art, such as the song Bella Ciao, continue to exert their power today. 

    The recently started project, The Arts of Resistance (TAoR), employs a co-creative approach to uncover links between historical, cultural, social, political, and physical ecologies of resistance against fascisms. This approach encompasses historical research, artistic workshops and expert conversations, an international youth exchange at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, art in public space presentations with schools and the University of Art in Braunschweig, and a publication.

    Based on Umberto Eco’s text, We Are European (2019), questions of Europe as a peace project, European identity, and resistance against fascisms past and present will be discussed and then co-creatively transformed into works of art. On the intersection of international youth work, current artistic research, and political education, TAoR has set itself the goal of questioning artworks and cultural assets based on local examples as a possible means of resistance. To build a pan-European understanding of fascisms and arts-based ways to counter such tendencies, and supported by internationally acclaimed artists, young people (18-25 years) will research and co-create artworks as an expression of resistance against fascisms. Critically examining historical works and comparing their context, meaning and agency to the present is at its core. The tested learning processes are based on the thesis that learning from history for the present is only possible through curiosity, research, critical analysis, and creative application.

    The power of imagination inherent to works of art makes it possible to encounter the future imaginatively and with an inquiring mind. The participants’ awareness and creative agency for resistance against fascisms can become fruitful. To initiate such a process is the responsibility of political, artistic, and cultural education.