Museum as activator, museum as activist, museum as agitator | Pedro Gadanho | TEDxViennaSalon

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Curating can be a critical practice, even when situated within an institutional frame. Museums are conservative structures, but they can operate as activists and activators, as well as awakeners of public consciousness. Examples from the presenter’s own experience at MoMA reveal facets of this curatorial stance, which can both rely on reinterpretations of existing collections, or on the creation of entirely new, transformative content. Pedro Gadanho is the Curator of Contemporary Architecture in the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Since he joined MoMA in 2012, he is responsible for the Young Architects Program, and he curated the exhibitions 9+1 Ways of Being Political, Cut’n’Paste, and Conceptions of Space. Previously, he divided his activity between architecture, teaching, writing and curating. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)