When does art becomes difficult? Indeed, art becomes “artistically meaningful” when it is brought to face and intervene in the world. In other words, art can help reveal the difficulty of living in the world. But this is by definition a difficult task. Artists need to make sure that the way to reveal the difficulty in life is “artistic” – critical, imaginative and visionary, instead of being superficially and moralistically didactic. A truly public art institution should be a place to encourage capacity for difference making and public debates, rather than imposing any established and monopolistic vision of the world, and “artistic norm”. It should be a place for resisting populism in the field of artistic practice and, by extension, populism in society and in politics.
Distinguished Speaker: Hou Hanru
Hou Hanru is a prolific art critic, writer and curator based in Paris and Rome. Hou has curated and co-curated over 150 exhibitions in the last three decades. Among his most notable exhibitions are China/Avant-Garde (1989), Cities on the Move (1997), Shanghai Biennale (2000), Gwangju Biennale (2002), Istanbul Biennial (2007), Art and China After 1989: Theater of the World (2017). He also served as the Director of Exhibitions and Public Program, Chair of Exhibition and Museum Studies, San Francisco Art Institute (2006-2012), Artistic Director of MAXXI, National Museum for 21st Century Art and National Museum of Architecture (2013-2022). Hou also lectures and teaches in numerous international institutions and serves as adviser in various art institutions. He frequently contributes to exhibition catalogues and journals on contemporary art and culture. His books include On the Mid-Ground (English version published in 2002). Hou is a chavelier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres.
Friday 25 March 2025
7.00pm to 9.00pm
Block F Level 2 #F202
LASALLE College of the Arts
1 McNally Street, Singapore 187940
Free admission (on a first-come first-served basis)
A reception will follow.
A recording of the lecture can be viewed here.