MEHRINGPLATZ 20
As a bedroom, MP20 is a personal space.
MP20 recognizes that through the use of the gallery concept, it has become a public institution in the sense of social responsibilities attached to the claim of working within public.
The people involved in the programming of the gallery agree to become engaged in thinking and creating post-capitalist worlds. This is our program.
MP20 commits to putting work and critical thought into learning about the topics it presents.
The structure, program, and the code of practice of the gallery are subject to review in order to reflect changing social conditions. This is done by the participating artists and cultural practitioners as part of the exhibition making process and by the public in dialogue during visits and encouraged follow up feedback.
The gallery actively participates in the struggle against contemporary racialized capitalism. It builds its movement on critical thought and knowledge, realizing the workings of the process towards justice to be as important as the constantly re-imagined goal.
MP20 prioritizes relationships over “performance”.
MP20 has in mind its temporal character. It will be here as long as it works or as long as the curator is able to afford living in the bedroom.
The ethics of MP20's own internal operations are as important as the program by which it presents itself to the public.
Everybody participating in the running and program of MP20 has a defined position. However, the person is not equated with their position. The distribution of power is clearly articulated, with awareness of responsibilities that come with each temporal position of power. The structure and the definitions of positions are subject to debate on the part of all interested parties and can be changed.
Division and credit for labor are especially receptive to care and reproductive work. Material conditions are centered and considered above inventions and concepts such as timelines, productivity, efficiency, etc.
All parties involved are asked to be transparent about their intent, risks, and commitment level when working in the frame of the gallery, and to let each other know of any significant changes in those areas during their engagement. Everybody involved in the running commits to creating a space receptive to communication of needs. Once more, MP20 prioritizes relationships over “performance”.
At this moment, MP20 doesn't involve any monetary exchange. The space is given for free by the curator, who utilizes it as a bedroom. The artists are not paid. Potential material expenses for exhibitions are divided between the curator and the artist(s) according to previous mutual agreement, taking into account the specifics of their positions and current financial situation.
Should the gallery as an institution receive outside funding, it will allocate a corresponding sum to those who worked within MP20 in the past, recognizing that their work formed the grounds for such possibility.
-Magdalena Jadwiga Härtelova
Last updated: January 3rd, 2022