free
The symposium of the Joint Research Network Elfriede Jelinek serves to discuss artistic strategies against anti-democratic and authoritarian trends.
The symposium asks how art and art institutions should position themselves in light of the threatened state of democratic sovereignty and the rise of authoritarian forces: (how) can art enable new forms of democratic imagination without itself reproducing authoritarian or totalitarian constraints?
In addition to keynote lectures by Geoffroy de Lagasnerie and Hito Steyerl, the programme includes discussions with Mattias Andersson & Ensemble Volkstheater, Evelyn Annuß, Ekaterina Degot, Jan Philipp Gloger, Stefan Herheim, Pia Janke, Monika Meister, Sara Ostertag, Julia Purgina, Milo Rau, Gerfried Stocker, Monika Voithofer, and many others. The author Thomas Köck will present an artistic contribution.
The event takes place as part of the RESISTANCE NOW! series organized by the Vienna Festival │ Free Republic of Vienna.
11.6.2026, 4pm
Keynote
Geoffroy de Lagasnerie:
Can art do what it says it does?Discussion
Aesthetics of Resistance
With Evelyn Annuß, Geoffroy de Lagasnerie, Milo Rau, moderated by Monika MeisterPerformance and discussion
Art's responsibility / The Art of Responsibility: Artistic practices in authoritarian times
With Thomas Köck, Sara Ostertag, Julia Purgina, moderated by Monika Voithofer12.6.2026, 4pm
Keynote
Hito Steyerl:
Art and/or FreedomDiscussion
Institution & Responsibility: Programming Policy, Art and the Public Sphere
Ekaterina Degot, Jan Philipp Gloger, Stefan Herheim, Gerfried Stocker, moderated by Pia JankeArtist Talk
Who Owns the Myth? Art and Democratic Participation
Mattias Andersson & Ensemble Volkstheater in conversation with Thomas Kasebacher
