On Thursday 10 October 2024 Framer Framed hosts the launch of the book Visible: Art as Policies for Care – Socially Engaged Art (2010–ongoing). The seminal publication explores the transformative potential of socially engaged art practices. It is the culmination of over a decade of curatorial research by Martina Angelotti, Matteo Lucchetti, and Judith Wielander, focusing on the relationship between art and the public sphere. The presentation is organised in partnership with the Van Abbemuseum.
The book brings together voices from artists, contemporary literature authors, journalists, activists, politicians and community organisers. These diverse contributors offer insight into the projects’ impact and their potential to inspire new policies of care within society. By narrating a transnational movement, the book highlights the interconnectedness of artists and key figures who are shaping the discourse on socially engaged art.
In addition to project insights from the artists and outlooks by experts from other fields, the book includes a series of ‘assemblies’ where practitioners share their thoughts, fostering collective learning. These dialogues are complemented by a comprehensive timeline of Visible‘s assemblies and temporary parliaments, and an epilogue by philosopher Emanuele Coccia on the future of socially engaged art.
By weaving together fiction and reality, historical contexts and contemporary analysis, Visible: Art As Policies for Care – Socially Engaged Art (2010—ongoing) offers a profound exploration of the role of art in addressing urgent societal challenges and envisioning a more caring and just future.
The publication is composed of four main sections with overarching photo documentation—interviews, essays, forums, and short literary texts—collecting contributions by artists, anthropologists, novelists, activists, and sociologists, such as Anna Tsing, Wissal Houbabi, Maria Thereza Alves, Tania Bruguera, Jonas Staal, DAAR – Decolonizing Architecture Art Research, Giuseppe Campuzano and Nan Goldin. It is designed by Irma Boom Studio and published by NERO Editions.