COMMISSIONING TIME: Art Institutions And The Production Of Moving Image

Both pioneering institutions dedicated to the promotion of contemporary art in its manifold manifestations, the Serpentine Galleries (London) and the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (Turin) share a longstanding relationship that dates back to their first joint production in 2001. Conceived as an immersive multi-channel installation specifically thought for the premises of the Serpentine Gallery, New Ocean by American artist Doug Aitken, thus, set the standards for a continuing and fruitful collaboration. In the context of this talk, Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo and Hans Ulrich Obrist will then review the joint endeavour of the institutions they lead towards contemporary creation, while specifically lingering on the production of artists’ films and videos and the challenges related to it. Ultimately, the conversation will explore the role of art institutions in the commission and creation of time-based work, outlining how and why it is increasingly becoming a collaborative task more than an individual initiative.