Private Events and Public History
A Workshop with the artist Petra Bauer on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. at Pori Art Museum.
During the day we will use selected texts and films as a starting point for a discussion on the individual’s role in public history and the ways in which the private relates to the public.
We will expound on thoughts about the private and the political sphere by studying a few passages from The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt. Hannah Arendt emphasizes the importance of participating in the political sphere on equal terms. She claims that the presence of others who see what we see and hear what we hear assures us of the reality of the world and ourselves.
But what is meant by public sphere? Does everybody have access to the public sphere? Are there various public and political spheres? Together with the workshop participants we will consider and discuss alternative strategies for active participation and resistance within a political sphere.
Literature and films
Prior to the workshop participants should read Private Events Public History: A Conversation between Petra Bauer and Annika Ruth Persson.
During the workshop we will examine short passages from The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt. For this reason, I recommend that workshop participants prepare themselves by reading the chapter “The Public and the Private Realm” in The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt. The book is available in English, Finnish and Swedish.
I will screen excerpts from the films Rana (2007, Petra Bauer), Female Fist 20 Min (2005, Kajsa Dahlberg), and La Commune (2001, Peter Watkin).
Please register by October 16 at laura.selin@pori.fi
Petra Bauer is an artist. “I work by exploring the possibilities of conceptual documentary. My works often consist of filmic revision and investigation of other people’s stories. In my films I connect individual fates with general occurrences in society. Therefore, ethical issues are always present in the statements of witnesses and in the overall documentary.”
Adress:
Pori Art Museum
Eteläranta
28100 Pori
Finland
Phone +358 2 621 1080, +358 2 621 1081
Fax +358 2 621 1091
taidemuseo@pori.fi
www.pori.fi/art/satakunta/pori