Abstract:

Throughout this publication there is a clear and strong emphasis on collaboration – an approach that has shaped Engrenage Noir / LEVIER since its inception in 2001 as a non-profit art advocacy and funding organization. This rather large collection of texts and images that you hold now in your hands was initiated in 2007 as an internal assessment of LEVIER-supported programming after the first five years of activity. Given how much we learned during our review of the 30 training and exchange programs, dialogue circles, roundtable discussions and workshops and the 37 community and humanist activist art projects that took place between 2002 and 2007, we were enthusiastic about the possibility of expanding the critical reflection and making it public. We quickly realized that if we were to be consistent with our commitment to collaborative ethics and aesthetics we could not do this alone. As a result, the elaboration of Affirming Collaboration: Community and Humanist Activist Art in Québec and Elsewhere is as much a celebration of the individual and collective efforts associated with the persons who have shared LEVIER’s journey over the years, as it has been a co-creative process. Like many collaborative projects, finishing this book has taken longer than expected. Despite the many hurdles and challenges, it has also been a deeply rewarding experience.

Read:

The full e-book is freely available for download at the following links in English and French:

"Affirming Collaboration: Community & Humanist Activist Art in Québec and Elsewhere" (pdf)

"Célébrer la collaboration. Art communautaire & art activiste humaniste au Québec & ailleurs" (pdf)

Suggested Reference:

Neumark, Devora and Johanne Chagnon, eds. in collaboration with Louise Lachapelle. Affirming Collaboration: Community and Humanist Activist Art in Québec and Elsewhere. Montréal and Calgary: Engrenage Noir / LEVIER, LUX Éditeur and Detselig Enterprises Ltd., 2011.

Référence bibliographique suggérée:

Johanne Chagnon et Devora Neumark (dir.) en collaboration avec Louise Lachapelle, Célébrer la collaboration. Art communautaire et art activiste humaniste au Québec et ailleurs, Montréal et Calgary, Engrenage Noir / LEVIER, LUX Éditeur et Detselig Enterprises, 2011.