AICA Lecture - Dawn Ades @ Tate 'How Contemporary Practices Engage with the History of Art'

I recently went to a talk at the Tate Britain, in collaboration with the AICA (International Association of Art Critics), that focused on contemporary practices engaging with history of art. The talk was lead by Dawn Ades, who is an art historian and curator, and who helped curate Manifesta 9 in 2012, the European Biennial of contemporary art. The talk was insightful into the ways in which we can bring contemporary art and historical art and context together, to deepen our understanding of modern art whilst also exploring the effects that historical art has had.

It is true that a lot of curators seem to divide contemporary art and historical art, deeming they have very little in common. This can be true to a certain extent, but I feel that it is beneficial to everyone to see the progression and influences in the art world together. When talking about Manifesta 9, Ades spoke about how the Biennial was set in an industrial coal mine complex. This bought up issues of the use of coal in art works, and the influences it has had, which became the starting point for the art that was bought into Manifesta 9. Most of it was contemporary, and it took great inspiration from things like the industrial revolution, coal being used as fuel (which lead on to nuclear power which was looked at in Claire Fontane's piece), and coal being used as a material itself.

I personally think, and always have done, that exhibitions that bring together old and new are the most informative and effective. They help you visually and symbolically understand the art works on show. Whilst this talk was very heavy to digest, the main message that they were trying to get across was important - segregation of contemporary and old isn't necessary, they can both work together and compliment each other.