About the 2012 Creative Time Summit

 

The 2012 Creative Time Summit–held near the one-year anniversary of the birth of the Occupy movement–addressed the extreme wealth disparity that continues to define the global economy and politics. Presenters at the 2012 Creative Time Summit, which was titled “Confronting Inequity,” reflected upon recent upheavals in the international political and economic climate, focusing specifically on wealth inequity and the ways in which it erodes democracy.

 

The spirit of open exchange and free expression that is a core value of Creative Time was perhaps most vividly embodied at the Summit when two presenters withdrew from the event in protest over the inclusion of the Israeli Center for Digital Art (ICDA) as one of the Summit’s “in-depth partners,” Creative Time’s name for an organization that both streams the Summit and undertakes its own programming. What ensued was an animated conversation about the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement, with some presenters scrapping their original presentation in favor of addressing this issue. It was both a challenging and exciting experience–a superb example of the importance of free expression. For more information, click here.

 

Slavoj Žižek, one of the most polemical and entertaining theorists of our time, headlined the roster of speakers at the conference, along with artist Martha Rosler. Other presenters included artist Michael Rakowitz and curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev and, from the social justice field, Malkia Cyril of the Center for Media Justice and Joia Mukerjee, Chief Medical Officer of Partners in Health, among many others. Additionally, in an effort to acknowledge the impressive scope of past Summit attendees, the lineup included a special presentation by a member of our community who was selected through the first-ever open call for a Summit presenter.

 

The 2012 Summit also included, for the first time, in-depth discussion sessions on Day Two, enabling audience members to engage directly with one another and presenters about particular topics. The Summit Lunch on Day One, presented by Conflict Kitchen, was another chance to meet and exchange ideas.

 

Outside of New York, more than 40 institutions hosted live screenings of the Summit. Many organized corresponding events, including local presentations and discussion groups.

 

Lead project support for the 2012 Creative Time Summit is provided by Surdna Foundation, Panta Rhea Foundation, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Trust for Mutual Understanding, Mark Krueger Charitable Trust, and The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. Additional support provided by SAHA Association and Haro Cumbusyan and Bilge Ogut-Cumbusyan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Presenters