"Speculations" between Art, Research and Capital

A one-day conference of the executive master in art market studies, University of Zurich and Gallery Karma International, Zurich, in collaboration with Kunsthalle Zurich

Saturday 4 October, 10 am - 5.30 pm
Kunsthalle Zurich, Limmatstrasse 270

The aim of this one-day conference is to scrutinize the term "speculation" and its several applications in science and markets. The Latin root "specere" (to see, to look) suggests a proximity to spectatorship - to a specific audience, reception, or consumption - as well as vision into further fields. "Speculation" implies imagination. This also contains the abstract production of value in finance, and the hypothetical assumption of a thing or situation as a means of knowledge production. The recently widely read theories of Speculative Realism (a specific branch of materialist philosophy) applies the term to "speculate" about subject-object relationships provide contemporary art, among other things, with new tools to confront the ubiquitous power of market speculation. The conference seeks to connect these fields and establish a dialogue between their various thinkers and practitioners.

10.00-10.15
Welcome and Introduction
Marina Olsen (Co-Founder & Director, Karma International, Zurich)
Julia Moritz(Curator of Theory & Programmes, Kunsthalle Zurich)

10.15-11.15
Speculation, Theory, and Practice
Pamela Rosenkranz (Artist, Switzerland)
Robin Mackay(Philosopher, London)

11.15-12.15
Hypothesis and Hypothecation: On Assumption, Expectation, and Liability in Speculation
Chus Martinez (Head of the Art Institute FHNW Academy of Art and Design, Basel) & guest

12.15-13.45 Lunch Break

13.45-14.45
Speculation and Spectatorship: Circuiting Contemporary Art and Education
Amadeo Kraupa-Tuskany (Co- Director Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler, Berlin)
Susanne Pfeffer (Director, Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel)
Lorenzo Benedetti (Director, De Appel Arts Centre, Amsterdam)

14.45-15.45
Norman Rosenthal (Curator, London) answers Beatrix Ruf

15.45-16.15 Coffee Break

16.15-17.15
Speculative Conversation
Beatrix Ruf (Director, Kunsthalle Zurich)& guest

17.15-17.30
Conclusion
by Nicolas Galley (Director of Studies, UZH Art Market Studies)

This conference is free and open to the public.