Contemporary Matters is a Vienna-based collective of cultural workers focused on the dissemination and networking of non-institutional artistic formats — primarily through curating, publishing, and mediation.

Contemporary Matters is an open democratic platform and can be joined by anyone at any time.

HISTORY

Art historians of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your canons!

Contemporary Matters emerged in 2018 from a student protest at the University of Vienna's Department of Art History due to institutional discrimination against contemporary art research and teaching. Of the seven tenured professorships in the department, only the professorship for contemporary art is limited to six years with no possibility of extension. These contractual terms make it impossible to provide consistent education in contemporary art.

From 2012 to 2018, art historian Noit Banai held the position of professor of contemporary art at the department. After her six-year term expired, the contract was not renewed — much to the dissatisfaction of many students. In response, a student protest emerged from which the Contemporary Matters collective was formed — because contemporary art history matters!

Contemporary Matters advocated for the position to be made permanent, organized a public panel discussion, and gathered over 1,200 signatures on a petition. Nevertheless, the department's committees refused to implement any substantial changes.

PRESENT

Although the outdated structures at the Department of Art History have not yet been changed, Contemporary Matters continues its work.

The platform remains committed to emphasizing the importance of the contemporary within the field of art history. This means foregrounding contemporary artistic practices and art criticism, while fostering awareness that art history is always written from the present and that traditional methodologies must be critically examined.

These and related topics have so far been explored through panel discussions, reading groups, guided tours and other educational formats, podcasts, a journal, and various exhibitions.

Do you want to join Contemporary Matters? Please feel free to join our next Stammtisch, get in touch via info@contemporarymatters.org or Instagram!