Art and activist body a/political to open London space with exhibition by Russian artist facing trial over sex video
For the first time since it was founded almost ten years ago, the art and activist organisation a/political is due to open a permanent space in London next month to exhibit—and potentially sell—the political and often provocative projects it supports.
1. What is a Pornopolitics launch event?
The space will open to the public on 11 October with Pornopolitics and other Precedents by Paris-based artist Pyotr Pavlensky. Within this exhibition, Pavlensky introduces his theory of ‘Subject-Object Art’, utilising three milestone events as case studies: Threat (2015), Lighting (2018) and Pornopolitics (2020).
2. What is Pornopolitics?
Pavlensky defines Pornopolitics as a type of political art that utilises pornographic imagery and themes to explore the ways in which power is manifested, reproduced and consumed. Although his works are political by nature, Pyotr is not a political artist, his focus is turning the mechanisms of power against themselves by using the documentation of his prosecutions as the artwork (and not his ‘events’ per se). In his view, pornography is an important tool for exploring the politics of sex, gender and representation; it can be used to critique traditional notions of morality, ethics and society.
Pavlensky launched a political porn website called Pornopolitique.com, where he published a leaked adult video of Benjamin Griveaux, a former government spokesman, close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and lawmaker who was standing in the election for Paris mayor. Here’s some info about it as well as other exhibitions in and around London from CentMagazine ‘Frieze The Highlights’
3. When is the event taking place?
The launch event will take place at Space London on 11 October from 7pm-11pm BST.
4. When is the launch event?
6pm to 9pm 11th October 2022
5. Where is the launch event?
A/Political Bacon Factory , 6 Stannary Street London SE11 4AA
6. How can I attend the launch event?
RSVP Infol@a-political-org
Founded in 2013, and privately financed by the London-based Russian entrepreneur and venture capital partner Andrei Tretyakov, a/political funds and collects works by some of the most politically engaged artists working today including Ai Weiwei, Andres Serrano, Barbara Kruger, Leon Golub, John Heartfield, Andrei Molodkin and Shirin Neshat.
Launching in Kennington in south London on 12 October, the new space, which is currently under construction, “won’t be like a regular gallery with an annual programme organised well in advance”, the spokesperson says. “It will be more of a dynamic space, responding to contemporary news and culture.”
There are plans to work with musicians and rappers as well as journalists. Next year, a/political will be collaborating on an installation with the British artist Peter Kennard to coincide with the launch of Silent Coup: How Corporations Overthrew Democracy, a book by his son Matt Kennard and Claire Provost, two investigative journalists.
Find out more information about Pyotr’s Exhibition, ‘Pornopolitics and Other Precedents’, check out this Nasty Magazine Review.
