(Disrupted) Flow: The Question of Institutions in Contemporary Performing Arts

A symposium and a round table discussion organised by the Association of Theatre Critics and Researchers of Slovenia (DGKTS) in collaboration with Radio Slovenia (Ars programme) and the Maribor Theatre Festival

The question of the institution in contemporary performing arts is not as single-faceted as it might seem at first glance. The obvious difference between national or city theatres in terms of the organisational form of the public institution, on the one hand, and the so-called independent producers, associations and organisations, on the other hand, is just one aspect of the problem, as the producers and creators themselves have internalised the institutional paradigm. The question of (disrupted) flow arises between the objective and subjective side of institutionalisation not only in the sense of aesthetics and human resources, but also in the ideological sense: each institutional frame undoubtedly influences the capacity, quality and context of artistic and critical participation. The focus of the question is thus not on the institution on one side and the non-institution on the other, but on the problem of the hierarchical structure and the material conditions of production, which eminently have an effect onstage as well as offstage. 

We will talk about how we see, experience and understand this situation and how we tackle it in an interwoven form of symposium and round table discussion. We will attempt to connect the critical reflections and historical insights with the thoughts of the practitioners who have the experience of working both in the main institutions and in the independent scene.

The morning portion of the symposium will feature papers by Nenad Jelesijević, Aldo Milohnić, Tomaž Toporišič and Rok Vevar.

The afternoon round table discussion, moderated by Alja Lobnik, will be broadcast live on Radio Slovenia (Ars programme).