Intelligence Squared

Contemporary Art Excludes the 99%

Apr 16, 2023

In a provocative discussion, Ben Lewis, an award-winning filmmaker and art critic, and Paul Chan, a noted artist, argue that contemporary art indeed excludes the 99%. They highlight the elitism in art fairs and how private interests overshadow public accessibility. On the contrary, conceptual art pioneer Joseph Kosuth defends the notion that art should challenge societal norms and be inclusive. The debate navigates issues of art as a cultural force, the impact of market dynamics, and the essential role of museums in fostering public engagement.

01:18:31

Episode guests

Paul Chan

Joseph Kosuth

Ben Lewis

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Art for Everyone: Bridging the Divide

24min

Home, Belonging, and Artistic Exclusion

7min

Challenging the Status Quo: The Role of Contemporary Art

6min

Art Accessibility and Public Engagement

11min

Art, Market, and Social Impact

14min

Art's Cultural Crossroads

9min

Art Movements and Accessibility in Contemporary Discourse

3min

What is the role of contemporary art museums today? Are biennales and art fairs platforms for experiment and exchange, or little more than social attractions for the elite? Have collectors become the new curators? Are private and corporate interests in culture at odds with the public good? And ultimately, who is art for? In this debate recorded in Hong Kong in 2012, award-winning documentary film-maker, author and art critic, Ben Lewis, and Hong Kong-born artist, Paul Chan, spoke for the motion. Former Director of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, and conceptual art pioneer, Joseph Kosuth, spoke against the motion. Our chair was the writer, art market expert and author, Georgina Adam.

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