Dear list.

Since Ana will write me a personal email, I would like to at least try to write a few words to the list in response to her email to the list.

There was no intention on my behalf to ridicularize anyone, leave alone Harald Szeemann (whom I have never met, of whom I have heard and read, with whom I have no reason whatever to reason, argue, disagree, attack - since I simply do not know enough in order to reason, argue, disagree, attack )

I have been on this mailing list for more than a year, have read many thoughts and followed many threads. I never participated actively, and I was and am grateful for/to the forum. (My background is in music, where the term "curator" has been slowly introduced over the past oh decade or so, at least in Germany, I don't know how it developed in other countries.)

I don't think I have a hidden agenda. I have an active interest (with many possibly undefined sources of energy - that may very well be so). And I do hope wherever I follow an agenda, it was and will be transparent. - I am convinced that any person can call her/himself whatever he/she finds appropriate. My comment was not on Harald Szeemann, but on the change in (of) language, thinking and reality. As language creates and reflects reality, I stumbled across the two terms "curator" and "exhibition producer" in a juxtaposition, which seemed to create a great tension between the two terms. This tension indeed seems to reflect important approaches in the field, changes, attitudes, directions in production and management style, self-perception, etc. - all this, again, without any reference to a specific person but based on how they appeared in the posteed quote. The quotes from the dictionary could serve as resonance board or mirror. I believe that there is something in these few lines from the Merriam-Webster, which could stimulate an interesting exchange between "open agendas" and how curatorial work wants to be seen, is seen, has to present itself.

I thought quite a bit about if I should add a comment to the definitions from the dictionary or further thoughts from my perspective. I decided against it - obviously with the consequence of being identified with something I did not want to raise - but equally obvious not excluding the unforeseen either.

I am not very familiar with forums, mailing lists etc. (i.e. I do know how they work, but I do not participate in a multilayered network in a specific field). So I cannot quite understand what Ana means by "... then this incestuous relationship across forums/mailing lists on the same topic of interest is jeopardized." (As I am writing here on language, I assume that incestuous is not really meant?)

I appreciate that Ana will write to me personally so the very personal level of irritation can be exchanged. This email is meant as a list-public response to Ana's posting.

    Johannes



 

-----Original Message-----
From: ana boa-ventura [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 4:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: exhibition producer

Hello,

That a mailing list includes a literal transcription of what is posted in a
forum (in this case, net art review), I guess it is ok. But then... when
those literal transcriptions are ridicularized like here with some abridged
online dictionary definitions, with the purpose of serving some undefinable
agendas... then this incestuous relationship across forums/mailing lists on
the same topic of interest is jeopardized.

So I'll reserve my comments on a personal email to Johannes. Bottom line
being - i'm afraid Harald Szeemann calls himself whatever he wants
regardless of what Johannes thinks (or should i say - the Merriam
Webster)...

Ana Boa-Ventura
 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Goebel, Johannes" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2004 12:03 AM
Subject: Re: [NEW-MEDIA-CURATING] exhibition producer


"Exhibition producer" - - - "Curator"

Merriam-Webster online:

Producer:
1: one that produces; especially: one that grows agricultural products or
manufactures crude materials into articles of use
...
3: a person who supervises or finances the production of a stage or screen
production or radio or television program
4: any of various organisms (as a green plant) which produce their own
organic compounds from simple precursors ... and many of which are food
sources for other organisms -- compare CONSUMER

Curator:
Etymology: Latin, from curatus, past participle of curare to care, from cura
care
: one that has the care and superintendence of something;



                Johannes Goebel






-----Original Message-----
From: Josephine Bosma [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 7:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: exhibition producer

From netartreview.net


Now... that is a designation I like: Harald Szeemann, art
critic and historian, and curator for the exhibitions of
the Forum Barcelona 2004 calls himself an "exhibition
producer". With a curricuum that includes the direction of
Documenta 5 in Kassel, and of the 48th and 49th editions
of the Venice Biennale, Szeemann became known in the art
world as a symbol of the independent exhibition curator.

There are four thematic exhibitions that present narratives
of cultural diversity, sustainable development and the
conditions for peace. The four themese/spaces are "Voices"
and "Cities - Corners" both at the Barcelona International
Convention Center, "Inhabiting the World" at the Viewpoint
Port and "Warriors of Xi'an" at the Sant Adrià (Moll del Parc).

(...)

by Ana Boa-Ventura