Welcome to the new newsletter of A*DESK. A monthly newsletter where we will gather together the latest publications (interviews, in depth articles, national and international criticism) related to one specific theme, a theme that will change every month. In this new editorial stage at A*DESK we are aiming to explore subjects in more depth, looking at some of the must current issues in art and culture, in a range of formats and from different perspectives.

The month of February we’ve focussed on participation, in its multiple facets and registers. We’ve considered its different uses (undoubtedly not all of them); from the perspective of the artist as well as that of the institution; looking at the public as object and the participant as subject; placing it in relation to the community while also introducing collaboration.

So we began the month with Juanjo Santos conducting an interview with Daniel G. Andújar where we read about his current exhibition at MNCARS (Operating System), but also about visibility, alterity, communities and access.

In the second week Xavi Acarín carried out a magnificent revision of participation with “experience” as a satellite concept; a synthesis of the evolution of performance that pivots around the tension between artist (performer) and public (collaborator, assistant, participant, spectator…).

We dedicated the third week in February to “international” criticism; Sonia F. Pan wrote from Brussels about the exhibition of Tino Sehgal at the Jan Mot Gallery. She also wrote about the work of this artist, with whom participation can go even beyond the public.

To end the month, “The indefinitely ideal variable of the popular”, or out of the ordinary communities or individuals and their voice (to which Jeremy Deller grants visibility) are the focus of the exhibition review by Montse Badia not to be missed while it’s on at the CA2M.

Interview with Daniel G. Andújar, “The Exploit”, by Juanjo Santos

“Person-Specific”, by Xavi Acarín

“This is so untitled”, Tino Sehgal en Jan Mot, by Sonia F. Pan

What is the city but the people? Jeremy Deller at CA2M, by Montse Badia