Practices of Relation. A Critical Vocabulary for the Analysis of Practices Emerging in the Relations between Artists and Institutions.

Abstract

This thesis develops a critical vocabulary to analyze practices emerging in the relations between artists and institutions. Given the increasing demand for artists to provide critical "services" to institutions and the need for artists to adapt their practices in a context of art organizations claiming institutional status, it is necessary to shift the analytical perspective to the relationship between practices and institutions. This can be achieved by understanding the relationship between patterned activity and the emergence of institutions from patterns of cognition and practice. This offers insight into why artists and activists consider institutions to be "sites worth seizing" through practices involving the study of institutions, self-organization, and institutional mimicry.
The thesis begins with a survey of the concepts of institutions found in recent attempts at historicizing institutional critique. It then continues with an analysis of the concept of institutions across different fields of discourse, particularly the work of sociologist-anthropologist Mary Douglas. Through a case study of the Museum of Capitalism, the thesis analyzes the most important concepts relating to emancipatory imitation, which are at the core of newly emerging conceptualizations of practices in relation to institutions. Finally, the thesis analyzes four clusters of components found in the conceptualization of artists' practices and adds specific nuances as to how these practices specifically emerge in relation to institutions.

Short biography

Bernhard Garnicnig works in art, education, and research. His recent work analyzes the effects of institutions and technologies and contributes to the development of experimental and sustainable practices. With Artist Project Group, he recently developed a curatorial framework, exhibition, and publication around the role of “The Artist as Consultant?”. He is the institutional director at the Palais des Beaux Arts Wien, where he designs formats for digital exhibitions and commissioning. His work in art and research has been exhibited and implemented in various formats and institutions, such as Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman, the MAAT Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia Lisbon, Haus der Kulturen der Welt Berlin, Institute Experimental Design and Media Cultures HGK Basel, The New School for Social Research, f.eks Aalborg, and Vorarlberg Museum. He teaches Theory of Institutions in the Department of Expanded Museum Studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna and Post-Digital Practices in the Department for Art and Education at Kunstuniveristät Linz.