ICA-Sofia Gallery
34, Vasil Levski Blvd Sofia, Bulgaria, CO 1504

Chto Delat

Public lecture of the art collective Chto Delat

Feb 15, 2024
Opening: 6.30 pm
Public lecture of the art collective Chto Delat
ICA – Sofia / Kalin Serapionov

When we thought we already knew the answers, life changed all the questions. The short history of Chto Delat International

Presented by Tsaplya Olga Egorova and Dmitry Vilensky

February 15, 2024, 6.30 pm

The presentation provides a comprehensive insights into history and artistic practices of Chto Delat collective

In January 2024 the Chto Delat collective turned 20 years old. It is one of the most enduring and successful collective works/projects in the field of contemporary international art. During this time there have been many dramatic changes in the world. The collective's artworks and statements have always strived to match, and respond to, these dramatic changes.


The Chto Delat collective has produced a large body of artworks that have been shown in many major contemporary art exhibitions (Documenta 2007, 11th Istanbul Biennial, 17th Biennale of Sydney, 31 Sao Paulo Biennial, Shanghai Biennale and another 28 biennials). The group’s works are in collections of major contemporary art museums such as MoMA in New York, the Reina Sophia in Madrid, and the Van Abbemuseum in The Netherlands). Also, the philosophers and theorists of the collective: Oksana Timofeeva, Artemiy Magun, Alexey Penzin, are publishing books and articles while also participating in the most important international forums in the field of contemporary philosophy and aesthetics. 

In addition, the Chto Delat collective is internationally known in the field of extrainstitutional art education. In addition tothe temporary seminar projects, summer schools, and learning plays, in 2013 the collective founded the School of Engaged Art in St. Petersburg, from which has emerged a number of artists who have largely shaped the collective and politically engaged practices in Russian art over the past 10 years. 

After being forced to emigrate from Russia in 2022 due to police prosecution for their anti-war activities, the Chto Delat collective initiated a new educational initiative, the School of Emergencies. It exists in different places - where many political refugees from Russia find themselves in communication with a new cultural environment. The work of the school seeks to maintain and develop this dialog.

Part of the 2024 annual program of ICA-Sofia entitled "Superpositions 3*". The programme is guided by the principle that interdisciplinarity is a major vector in contemporary art practice. The series of exhibitions examine the connections between art and fields such as: politics / poetics; science and technology; popular culture; gender and social movements; ecology and migration. The discursive couples are reflected in the structure of each exhibition - a dialogue between two authors - one from Bulgaria and one guest.


*Superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum physics, according to which every elementary particle exists in all its theoretically possible positions simultaneously; but when measured or observed, it gives a result corresponding to only one possible configuration.


The annual programme "Superpositions" is supported by the National Fund Culture / Annual Programme for Support of Professional Organisations in the Field of Arts

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