International Meeting Between
Autonomous Cultural Centers
25 - 27 September 2004, Shanghai
Over the past twenty years in Europe, and more recently in Asia, a large number of autonomous cultural centers emerged from artistic and citizen initiatives. There are more than 300 independent cultural centers in Europe and the number is increasing in Asia. Although there were some contacts among Asian and European centers, many artists, art managers and curators expressed concerns about the fact, that very little concrete activities resulted from these contacts, which could contribute for a sustainable exchange with the other region.
Under the initiative and organization of Artfactories (France) and BizArt (Shanghai, China), supported by the Cultural Exchange Department of ASEF, this International Meeting gathered for the first time 30 autonomous cultural centers from Asia and Europe but also from Brazil, Québec and canada. It took place parallel to the Shanghai Biennale on the premises of BizArt, located in the warehouse area of 50 Moganshan Road, which has a high concentration of artists’ studios and galleries.
Close to 60 people from different fields participated, including members of cultural centers, networks and residency programs from Europe and Asia, as well as professors and students based in China, artists, and groups from non-ASEM countries (such as Canada and Brazil).
View the pictures on ASEF website
Press review on line
article in Malaysian from Saubin Yap and and Choong Yoon from RAP