The Institute of Modern Art (IMA) is one of Australia’s oldest independent art galleries, and its history coincides with the development of contemporary art in this country. Its original mission from 1975 was to foster research and experimentation by Australian and international artists through exhibitions and publishing, and to educate the public about contemporary art.
To mark their 40thanniversary, the IMA is currently embarking on a year-long project, ‘Imaginary Accord‘, which explores this institution’s historical mission, while imagining what it could mean today and for the future, through an exhibition, a lecture series, a symposium, and a publication.
The title suggests that the connection between each artwork, idea, and participant lies initially in the imagination of the curator and artists and finds new form in the minds of audiences. The ‘Imaginary Accord’ exhibition will grow and change over time, featuring artworks and other contributions by Agency (Brussels); Vernon Ah Kee (Brisbane); Gerry Bibby with Janet Burchill and Jennifer McCamley (Berlin/Melbourne); Zach Blas (New York); Ruth Buchanan (Berlin/Wellington); Céline Condorelli (London); Peter Cripps (Melbourne); Sean Dockray (Melbourne); Goldin+Senneby (Stockholm); Raqs Media Collective (New Delhi); Ross Manning (Brisbane); Marysia Lewandowska (Hong Kong/London); and Hito Steyerl (Berlin); with graphic design by Leaky Studio (Berlin).
From February through December, ’Imaginary Accord’ presents a series of lectures titled What Can Art Institutions Do? featuring artists, curators, and writers, such as Anne Barlow, Director, Art in General (New York); Charles Esche, Director, Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven); Maria Lind, Director, Tensta konsthall (Stockholm); Marysia Lewandowska, artist (Hong Kong/London); Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney), Chris Saines, Director, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (Brisbane); and Adnan Yıldız, Director, Artspace (Auckland), who will further examine questions around public institutions and civic life. There will also be a two-day symposium in July will feature Nikos Papastergiadis University of Melbourne, (Melbourne); Terry Smith, University of Pittsburgh/University of New South Wales (Pittsburgh/Sydney); Raqs Media Collective, artist group (New Delhi), among many others.
The publication, Imaginary Accord, will be launched online and in print at the end of the year, and will include contributions from exhibiting artists and speakers.
Institute of Modern Art (IMA)
11 April to 11 July, 2015
Melbourne
