How do creative groups negotiate authority?

Who do we trust to represent us, and on what terms?

Creative Authority is an invitation to digest these questions collaboratively, over the course of a one-day intensive. Throughout the day, we will work together to observe our emotional and intellectual responses to recording and being recorded.

The experiment takes the form of a one day intensive, designed to facilitate learning about how we react to authority in general, and more specifically, to artistic authority. 

The day will consist of conversations about our group dynamics as they unfold in real time, and will culminate in a video-recorded discussion. The organizing artists, Fred Schmidt-Arenales and Netta Sadovsky, will play the role of the artistic authority, attempting to guide the group’s awareness of emergent group dynamics, while also directing a process of collaborative documentation. 

Inspired by Group Relations work, this is a participatory event intended for people with an interest in investigating power and authority in groups, and the delicate and sometimes controversial dynamics that come up when artists represent other people.

Creative Authority will take place on: 

Saturday, October 26, 

10AM-6PM 

at Co-Prosperity Sphere

Up to 20 people will be able to join in the experiment. If you are interested, please fill out the Creative Authority registration form. Please note: the experiment is free, but we ask for a $10 deposit to hold your spot. The deposit will be returned after the event. 

Notice:

Discussing emergent group dynamics as they unfold can be an incredible learning experience. It can also be uncomfortable or distressing, and is not for everyone. We ask that people experiencing significant physical or psychological distress refrain from participating at this time.

Creative Authority is part of the Togetherism program organized by Public Media Institute in fall 2019.