Post Capitalistic Auction (PCA) is a performance but is also an actual and alternative kind of art auction. PCA questions the impact of neoliberalism on the art world and how we value artworks. I ask why money determines everything. The artists, artworks, and the biddings are all real, and so are the transactions. All the actions and reactions, dialogues, and consequences are also real. The twist is that bidders are invited to make offers not only with money, but that understanding, opportunity, discursive, and any kind of exchange are equally introduced as bidding currencies. All bids are placed via specially designed software. The artists are present at the auction in person so that they might personally decide who will win their artworks. A panel representing several aspects of the art world ecology is also in attendance to offer advice and create confrontation among themselves.
This project was planned as a long-term, ongoing series to be recreated and represented in various countries, aiming to investigate differing social and art economies and ecologies. For each edition, I collaborated with local curators, artists, panelists, auctioneers, lawyers, and software programmers. Each version follows the same concept and framework but with unique contents and results. Since its premiere, and wherever it has been performed, it has developed like an organic ecosystem that has been absorbing and reflecting the transformation of the art world and truly mirrors local contexts and art ecologies.
The Bergen edition was the premiere which took place in Bergen Kunsthall, and was co-produced by BIT Teatergarasjen and Bergen Kunsthall. This edition truly reflected the non-commercial environment of art in Bergen. The artworks are highly diverse in terms of the art media.
Participating artists: Toril Johannesen, Dan Mihaltianu, Thora Dolven Balke, Annette Kierulf, Håkon Holm Olsen, Gabriel Kvendseth, Maria Storaas, Helene Norseth.
Panelists: Kjersti Solbakken, Erlend Hammer, Knut Jarl Jøsok
