Shifting Map
Artists' platforms and strategies for cultural diversity

Design: Joseph Plateau, Illustrated (colour), Paperback, sewn, 216 pages, Size: 17 x 24.5 cm
Text in English with French and Spanish translations, ISBN 90-5662-368-0 / 978-90-5662-368-5, € 22.50 OUT OF PRINT

NAi Publishers in association with the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (State Academy of Fine Arts), Amsterdam, and the RAIN Artists' Initiatives Network

Shifting Map is a publication by the RAIN Artists' Initiatives Network, a network of artists' platforms and initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America that was set up by former residents at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (State Academy of Fine Arts) in Amsterdam.

The phenomena of artists' platform and artists' initiative have been gaining in popularity and strength over recent years, in the Netherlands and beyond. Artists form groups and organize themselves - in order to change something in the local, regional or national environment or in order to create work together. Shifting Map asks to what extent these artists can play a role in a society in flux.

Shifting Map contributes to the wide-ranging international debate about western and non-western art, social engagement, cultural identity and the dominant visual culture. The book does not simply focus on a purely theoretical discussion, but also provides anchoring points and pause for thought for artists, curators and policy-makers. Besides texts and images by the artists' initiatives and artists' platforms themselves, the publication includes essays by the philosopher Reinaldo Laddaga and the art critic Charles Esche which examine the significance of artists' initiatives, the artistic debate and its significance in the worldwide field of art.