Activity

Mediated by Pedro Barateiro and Ricardo Valentim, Activity is a collaboratively created artists' book authored by multiple individuals. The artists engaged in ongoing discussions around the issues of collaboration, accountability, and democracy for over three years. The format of an artist's book was chosen as the vehicle for mapping their activity. Because the impetus for the project was based so much in conversations, they decided to employ 'the dialogue' itself as the 'medium,' transforming this project from a mere publication into something more. Barateiro and Valentim's withdrawal from their position as the book's authors enabled the shared authorship of all the participants. Unlike the typical artist's book, which usually functions as an extension of an individual artist's practice, Activity instead represents a collective artistic experience, effectively rethinking the artist's book today. This publication is part of the series of artists' projects edited by Christoph Keller.