THE RISK

Since its beginning, MEXE has been organised in a participatory manner developed, among other spaces, in foruns open to anyone who wants to think and create together. As usual, it was in a collective discussion where the trigger theme for the next edition of MEXE emerged – “The risk”.

This year has been defined by particular vagueness and intensity. Many of the inequalities and problems experienced by many are now exacerbated by a pandemic which has shaken the tyranny of certainties. The daily lives of citizens are shaken by the discredit of political life, the removal of tenderness and body contact, the growing power of technology, climate emergencies, social disorientation, the emptying of public space and the difficulty of affirming subjectivities. In an environment and space that often seems to be referring to a great impasse, the need to live the risk and its multiple facets propels us towards the active realization of other futures yet to come. Is that risk, virtual and real, where we live, here and now? What are its contours and nuances? Beyond the production of fear, paralysis, blocking and control, what constructive developments can this risk potentiate? In the fields of artistic creation, political action, democratic discussion and community life, confrontation and difference are inherent elements, just like risk.

Hugo Cruz
Artistic director

In this next edition, MEXE completes 10 years. In this path it has been consolidated as an international platform of reference in the field of community artistic practices. Like last year, the next edition will also have an extension: in Viseu (PT). In it’s previous five editions, MEXE had more than 1600 participants from 22 countries, and more than 25,000 spectators in 200 actions that occupied 47 different spaces of the city of Oporto.

The 4th edition of the INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF REFLEXION ON COMMUNITY ARTISTIC PRACTICES (IV EIRPAC) will take place on September 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2021 in Porto, integrated in the 6th edition of MEXE_Encontro Internacional de Arte e Comunidade.

The three previous editions of EIRPAC, held in 2015, 2017 and 2019, gathered more than 600 participants (Portuguese and foreigner) in the dozens of promoted actions, seeking to find a space for debate, nationally and internationally, in the field of scientific production around community artistic practices.

Based on this journey and on the concerns and questions of the current world, the challenge of the 4rd EIRPAC is focused on the theme “Artistic Practices and Risk in the Contemporary”. Considering the complexity of this field of action and the growing significance that these practices have been gaining in the artistic and contemporary creations, knowing that these are inseparable from social and cultural manifestations and experiences of the communities, the creation of reflection and sharing spaces is essential between all the parties involved.

The 4th IV EIRPAC EIRPAC is influenced by the social movements that emerge regarding the political transformations that proliferate around the world and the emergency of new and renewed spaces for involvement and artistic creation. In moments of restlessness, hopelessness and social isolation, how the artistic practices get involved in the projection and collective construction of new realities and new futures? In this regard, the focus of the IV EIRPAC is on reflection about our common condition of risk and vulnerability and the ethical, aesthetic and political dimensions of participatory creative processes.

The IV EIRPAC intends to reflect on the risk and diversity of these experiences through the shared production of knowledge between academic, artistic and training practices, valuing the local knowledge of the territories involved in the common creative processes.

Information regarding the open call and more info: www.eirpac.org

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Program
2019