Art and Social Change Research Project: Delhi Residency, 2013

Curated by Mercedes Vicente

In collaboration with Te Tuhi, The Physics Room presents Art and Social Change Research Project: Delhi Residency, 2013 exhibiting the outcome of curator Mercedes Vicente’s research trip to India as a resident at Khoj International Artists Association in Delhi.

Vicente conceived of the project to examine if a long term collaboration between artists seeking social change and social entrepreneurs would be feasible, or even desirable, as a way to have lasting effects in communities. Delhi was one of three geopolitical destinations (together with Cairo, Egypt and Cali, Colombia) chosen by Vicente for the respective set of challenges facing their societies: the political unrest of its transition towards democracy in the case of Egypt; and Colombia’s long history of endemic violence and social inequalities. This research looks at how artists engage with charged environments and their agency in contributing to better societies.

Art and Social Change Research Project: Delhi Residency, 2013 features an array of materials such as books and printed matter, social documentary films and video interviews by Vicente with artists, NGO founders, activists and art professionals. Through this diverse material, Vicente shares the various degrees of digression, procrastination, sense of enlightenment and overwhelming bewilderment inherent in conducting curatorial research within such challenging contexts.