Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives

Introduction & Welcome Remarks
Speakers: Jacob Fabricius & Vanini Belarmino

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Foundations for the Future: Artists & Curators Shaping Creative Ecosystems
How do local histories, geographies, and communities influence independent art spaces and vice versa? What structure or system of support enables you to fulfil your vision as an independent creative space? What impact or legacy do you imagine building for the future?

Speakers: Mook Attakanwong, ATT19 (Thailand), Liza Ho, The Zhongshan Building & BackroomKL (Malaysia), Charlie Co, Orange Project (Philippines), Elena Tzotzi, SIGNAL (Sweden)

Moderator: Vanini Belarmino, Belarmino&Partners (Singapore)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Performance: Afterbody
Artist: Kim Suhwa (South Korea)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Keynote Conversation: Political Discourses & Representation in the Arts
How do independent spaces shape the way histories are told and whose voices are remembered? And can beauty be part of an institution’s political mission? This conversation discussed how Skåne konstförening and Absolute Art Space engage with beauty to influence institutional narratives, challenge dominant histories, and create new possibilities for memory and resistance in times of social and political urgency.

Speakers: Tawanda Appiah, Skånes konstförening (Sweden), Yang Chia-hsuan, Absolute Space for the Arts (Taiwan)

Moderator: Paola Paleari, Curator and Writer (Italy)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Performance: Lemon Loewe Distribution
Artist: boma pak (South Korea)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Breakout Session: Strengthening Artist-Run Spaces and Initiatives
Four discussion groups led by artists/curators to discuss how independent spaces can thrive in the community and through collaboration. Each session included a 10-minute presentation followed by an open conversation with the audience.

Hosted by: Jennifee-See Alternate (Denmark)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Breakout Session: Strengthening Artist-Run Spaces and Initiatives
Four discussion groups will be led by artists/curators to discuss how independent spaces can thrive in the community and through collaboration. Each session included a 10-minute presentation followed by an open conversation with the audience.

Hosted by: Jette Gejl Kristensen, KH7 (Denmark)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Breakout Session: Strengthening Artist-Run Spaces and Initiatives
Four discussion groups will be led by artists/curators to discuss how independent spaces can thrive in the community and through collaboration. Each session included a 10-minute presentation followed by an open conversation with the audience.

Hosted by: Adeline Kueh and Hazel Lim, Critical Craft Collective (Singapore)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Breakout Session: Strengthening Artist-Run Spaces and Initiatives
Four discussion groups will be led by artists/curators to discuss how independent spaces can thrive in the community and through collaboration. Each session included a 10-minute presentation followed by an open conversation with the audience.

Hosted by: Jari Malta, Collega and Fuxia2 (Denmark/Sweden)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Panel discussion: Creating Alternative Institutions
A series of lightning talks followed by a roundtable discussion on establishing and sustaining independent art institutions.

Speakers: Christian Vindelev and Markus von Platen, Simian (Denmark), Marti Manen, Index – The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation (Sweden), Lo Shih-Tung, Open-Contemporary Art Center, OCAC (Taiwan)

Moderator: Jacob Fabricius, Art Hub Copenhagen (Denmark)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Performance: I’m aging like a Russian nesting doll
Artist: Yehwan Song (South Korea)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Keynote Conversation: Multiple Practices and Representation in the Arts
How do independent initiatives reshape attitudes towards alternative collaborative and exhibition formats by promoting trailblazing new artistic visions? What are the possible ways to merge community-building and innovative programming in both hyper-local and trans­national initiatives? In this session TheCube Project Space and Tofu Collective shared perspectives on resistance, community and organizing through experimental approaches.

Speakers: Martin Wendelbo and Regen Li, Tofu Collective (Denmark), Jeph Lo, The CubeProject Space (Taiwan)

Moderator: Karen Vestergaard Andersen, bluestockings (bs), Curators (Denmark)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Panel discussion: Reflections on the performance program

Speakers: Yonghee Sung, Kim Suhwa, boma pak, Yehwan Song and Beum-Kyu Choi, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (South Korea)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Performance: Had Time Yet Part 2
Artist: Beum-Kyu Choi (South Korea)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Panel discussion: Expanding Possibilities: Creating Spaces within Constraints
How do artists and curators in Singapore carve out room for experimentation and independent initiatives within structural and spatial limitations? This session explored adaptive strategies, innovative programming, and sustainable models that make space for contemporary art in a city with high constraints on land use and institutional support.

Speakers: Ashley Chiam, Supper House (Singapore), Adeline Kueh & Hazel Lim, Critical Craft Collective (Singapore)

Moderator: Vanini Belarmino, Belarmino&Partners (Singapore)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Panel discussion: The Role of Experimental Spaces in Local Communities
How can independent art spaces thrive in their local contexts? And what value do they generate for communities, and vice versa?

Speakers: Andreas Führer, Institut Funder Bakke (Denmark), Elin Lundgren and Petter Pettersson, Lilith Performance Studio (Sweden)

Moderator: Christian Skovbjerg Jensen, Museet for Samtidskunst, Roskilde (Denmark)

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

Closing remarks by Jacob Fabricius & Vanini Belarmino. Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.

A guided tour in AHC’s exhibition space Room Room, where local curators Johanne Jacobsen & Kristian Kirk (inter.pblc) gave an introduction to the group show 9-5, 5-9.

Gathering – a seminar on the conditions of independent art spaces and initiatives, 4-5 April, 2025. Thoravej 29, 2400 Copenhagen NV. Photo: Emil Basse.