Berlin – Germany
Lead: AMU – Universite D’AIX MARSELLE
Work Package 5
- April 2025
Problems addressed
The workshop and debate with renowned Romanian artist Dan Perjovschi offered a dynamic exploration of East-West cultural relations through drawing, dialogue, and collective reflection. Participants created individual sketches and collaborated on a fanzine, guided by Perjovschi’s insights on the role of art in times of geopolitical tension.
- Art and Political Power Structures: Exploring the relationship between contemporary art and political power, particularly in the context of freedom of expression and censorship.
- Western Cultural Hegemony in the Arts: Critically examining how Western Europe continues to dominate artistic narratives and define universal norms in contemporary art.
- East-West Asymmetries in Cultural Dialogue: Addressing the imbalances in cultural exchange between Eastern and Western Europe and promoting more inclusive artistic practices.
Target groups
- Researchers
- Artists and cultural workers
- NGOs
- Students
The Questions for this event
- How does contemporary art reflect or resist political power structures in Europe?
- In what ways do Western institutions shape or dominate artistic narratives?
- Can cultural integration in Europe avoid reproducing East-West hierarchies?
- How can artistic practices encourage more balanced cultural dialogue and inclusion?
Presenters – speakers – artists -actors
The workshop and guest lectures featured contributions from:
Dan Perjovschi
Romanian artist known for political drawings and performances; presented his work and led the workshop
Prof. Dr. Nicole Colin
NARDIV Scientific Coordinator
Professor for German Culture and History
Organiser and academic contributor
Dr. Joachim Umlauf
NARDIV Team Member in Work Package 5 Shaping Perceptions by Cultural Diplomacy as Soft Power
Director of Goethe-Institut Bucharest
Discussant and partner representative
The Answers from this event
Art as Political Commentary
Through the public debate and his workshop, Dan Perjovschi illustrated how art can critique censorship, challenge political hierarchies, and interrogate Eurocentric narratives.
Critique of Western Centrality
The event critically examined how Western Europe continues to define artistic canons under the guise of universality, raising questions about real inclusivity in cultural institutions.
Collaborative Artistic Practice
The workshop encouraged participants to create visual responses to East-West cultural tensions, culminating in a printed fanzine of collectively selected works.
Empowered Participation
Through interactive, TED Talk-style discussions and drawing sessions, the event fostered dialogue, creative expression, and new perspectives on the role of contemporary art in geopolitical discourse.