ASSUMING BOYCOTT: RESISTANCE, AGENCY, AND CULTURAL PRODUCTION
MON 26 JAN 2015 5.00PM-9.00PM

The New School, Theresa Lang Community & Student Center
55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor
New York City

The fourth in a series of seminars investigating political engagement through various artistic and cultural practices, in particular dis-engagement, boycotts, or other modes of withdrawal, Who Is Silencing Whom? looks at how non-participation can be, and often is, construed as involuntary censorship, by oneself or others. Among a wide range of instruments for political engagement, the refusal to engage is increasingly exercised by individuals and institutions as they seek alternative ways to account for political conflicts in the fields they’re working in. Who are the censors when cultural producers decide not to engage? When does self-censorship become a legitimate concern for a community, and when does it represent compliance with powers beyond or outside of a community? When is silence unacceptable?

In this lively debate, curators, scholars and artists deconstruct the term of censorship to arrive at a more nuanced and politically effective approach to not speaking, or not speaking directly. In particular, this event addresses persistent arguments that a cultural boycott silences – or isolates – those it is meant to support, that it butts against freedom of speech. Among the speakers are Jennifer Camper, Marguerite Dabaie,Chelsea Haines, Ben Katchor, Svetlana Mintcheva, Eddy Portnoy,Rhoda Rosen , Ari Roth, Bayeté Ross Smith, and Madiha Tahir.

The provocative and fearless work of the French journal Charlie Hebdolaunches the evening as participants debate violence, self-censorship and cultural sensitivities.

Program
5:00–6:30 pm
Part 1: Charlie Hebdo
With Jennifer Camper, Marguerite Dabaie, Eddy Portnoy, and Madiha Tahir
Ben Katchor, moderator

7–8:30 pm
Part 2: Self-censorship
With Chelsea Haines, Rhoda Rosen, Ari Roth, and Bayete Ross Smith
Svetlana Mintcheva, moderator

8:30-9:00 pm
Discussion