Austrian artist Oliver Ressler will discuss his latest project “What is democracy?” with art critic and philosopher Stephen Wright. The conversation will address the relation between artistic production and political engagement. For more information click here.

“What is democracy?” is not one question, but is actually two questions. On the one hand, the question relates to conditions of the current, parliamentary representative democracies that are scrutinized critically in this project. On the other hand, the question traces different approaches to what a more democratic system might look like and which organizational forms it could take. The project asked “What is democracy?” to numerous activists, migrants and political analysts in 18 cities around the world. This pool of interviews builds the basis for eight videos, which are presented in a multi-channel video installation.

Ressler is this year's Transeuropa Festival's featured artist.  The festival is a transnational festival, with events taking place in London, Paris, Bologna and Cluj-Napoca from the 25th April to the 10th May. It is at once a cultural and artistic festival and a political event.  For more information visit www.euroalter.com/

Ressler will also take part in a salon discussion at the Tate Britain entitled 'Refusing to Accept one's place'.  The discussion with be followed by a screening of 'What is Democracy?' introduced by Ele Carpenter.  For details visit http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/