Transforming
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We Polter! is a loose network of artists who, through their practice cross, blur or erase the line between art and politics. We are not affiliated with any political party, but are nonetheless committed to bringing about fundamental and lasting social, environmental and economic change.
Since occasionally it makes sense for us strategically to pool our resources we have created the Polterparty, a ghost or ‘geist’ of sorts that can act like a political party without actually being one. It allows us to run, engage with, or insert ourselves into political (election etc) campaigns, utilising the media, the internet, billboards and whatever other means, methods and platforms we deem appropriate to initiate and amplify political debates around issues of public concern. Whether we work individually, in groups or through the Polterparty, we maintain our independence at all times, always only speak for ourselves and reject the idea of others speaking on our behalf.
We Polter! is an inclusive and hence by definition a pluralist network. We therefore reject the idea of political art as a category or label. All art can, and under certain conditions will be political. Equally, just because something is topical – is critical of war, advocates clean air, etc – does not mean that it is necessarily political. For art to be truly political (ontologically), it has to cross, blur or erase some line. In a way, in the eyes of some people, usually someone in power, it has to stop being art.
To draw attention to ourselves, and grow our network, we are always on the outlook for radical organisations/groups interested in helping us organise events in their region or country (view our past and present calls for contributions here). These collaborations bring together the main strands of our work - e.g. research & documentation, campaigns & promotions and actions & interventions - and combine a range of event formats to create something that captures the spirit, or ‘geist’, of our movement.
We Polter! and the Polterparty do not receive any funding from any government, funding body or sponsor – and nor could we, as there would be no one to receive those funds (we are not incorporated). However, individual network members and organisations close to the movement can accept funds, and if necessary act as accountable body for individual Polterprojects, and some of them do. To find out more, get involved or support us financially, please get in touch using the contact form provided here.
Since occasionally it makes sense for us strategically to pool our resources we have created the Polterparty, a ghost or ‘geist’ of sorts that can act like a political party without actually being one. It allows us to run, engage with, or insert ourselves into political (election etc) campaigns, utilising the media, the internet, billboards and whatever other means, methods and platforms we deem appropriate to initiate and amplify political debates around issues of public concern. Whether we work individually, in groups or through the Polterparty, we maintain our independence at all times, always only speak for ourselves and reject the idea of others speaking on our behalf.
We Polter! is an inclusive and hence by definition a pluralist network. We therefore reject the idea of political art as a category or label. All art can, and under certain conditions will be political. Equally, just because something is topical – is critical of war, advocates clean air, etc – does not mean that it is necessarily political. For art to be truly political (ontologically), it has to cross, blur or erase some line. In a way, in the eyes of some people, usually someone in power, it has to stop being art.
To draw attention to ourselves, and grow our network, we are always on the outlook for radical organisations/groups interested in helping us organise events in their region or country (view our past and present calls for contributions here). These collaborations bring together the main strands of our work - e.g. research & documentation, campaigns & promotions and actions & interventions - and combine a range of event formats to create something that captures the spirit, or ‘geist’, of our movement.
We Polter! and the Polterparty do not receive any funding from any government, funding body or sponsor – and nor could we, as there would be no one to receive those funds (we are not incorporated). However, individual network members and organisations close to the movement can accept funds, and if necessary act as accountable body for individual Polterprojects, and some of them do. To find out more, get involved or support us financially, please get in touch using the contact form provided here.