Fred Forest in discussion
with Stéphanie Jeanjean

The AC Institute is pleased to welcome a discussion between French artist Fred Forest (born in 1933, Mascara Algeria) and art historian, video, and media specialist Stéphanie Jeanjean (Ph.D.) on the occasion of Forest’s new Sociological Walk (Sociological Visit of a Museum in New York, Spring 2014).

The discussion will present Forest’s participatory anti-performances that started in the early 1970s. These awareness raising practices expose participants to common places and situations in order to generate different experiences from their everyday encounters. Recently Forest has reactivated this sociological practice in New York, including Sociological Walk in Brooklyn (2011) and Sociological Visit of a Museum (2014). In this latest action, Forest points out the intellectual appropriateness, authority and legitimacy of institutions, as well as their ability, interest and willingness to welcome a larger diversity of artistic gestures. These questions, which were first raised in the art world in the 1970s, are still valid today and are frequently explored by Forest.

Besides his sociological actions, Forest often uses video installation and new media in his practice. Among numerous other exhibitions, he participated in the now legendary Bienal de São Paulo (1973 and 1974), Venice Biennale (1976), Documenta 6 and 8 in Kassel (1977 and 1987). Fred Forest is an active artist based in Paris.

Special thanks to Holly Crawford, Fred Forest, and Stéphanie Jeanjean

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