The Viability of “New”

An interesting lecture series is underway in Amsterdam this year, focusing on the concept of “new” in the arts and within greater culture. The program synopses on the website trigger initial thought – I’m hoping they post the lectures later this year.

Intriguing that the program’s curators are considering “new” as a brand element, in addition to exploring the idea of “brand new.” More info from the link below.

“In the arts, the concept ‘new’ is an ideal as well as a curse. The avant-garde has been declared dead and ‘the cult of the new’ is past its peak. The pursuit of absolute originality and total innovation has given way to concepts such as remix and postproduction, eclecticism and syncretism. Is ‘new’ still permitted, how new is neo, how innovative is retro? By looking at the term ‘new’ in light of ‘old’ subjects such as virtuosity, beauty, knowledge and idealism, the lecture series THE OLD BRAND NEW proposes to free ‘new’ of its ‘stale’ image and present it in its full complexity.”