"We must learn the way of de-pressure, how to relieve pressure from ourselves"
"In connection with the title Under Pressure, I want to also propose that we must learn the way of de-pressure, how to relieve pressure from ourselves. If we think back over the last two years, we have all been under some weight of pressure. By coming together in Poland and hearing different experiences and thoughts in the last years, it reminded us that it has really been a tough year, professionally, institutionally, and also on a personal level. Being constantly under pressure, particularly for some of us who are in a leadership position and have to pretend that we have endless, positive energy to give to our staff and the institution, I think we are allowed to de-pressure and take a good care of ourselves."
"The pandemic has shown that it means a lot for us to come together physically in one place, learning from the history of the country and the region, particularly on the land of Gdansk where accumulates the memory of solidarity at the European Solidarity Centre.”
"It was essential to be aware of what we are discussing here for 3 days, while actual political conflicts are happening on the border between Poland and Belarus, which is not that far away. This situation constantly reminds us of the role of the museum here and now."
Mami Kataoka, President of CIMAM, Director, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo
The CIMAM 2021 Annual Conference was held on November 5-7, 2021, hosted as initially planned by the Muzeum Sztuki in Lodz and the NOMUS New Art Museum/ Branch of the National Museum in Gdansk, Poland.
During the three days of discussions, the conference focused on the two interconnected current crises of Xenophobia and Climate Change, and the sometimes hidden or unexplored connections between the two.
Keynote speakers and relevant case-study presentations showed how institutions, artists, and thinkers working together can provide practical laboratories concerning these emerging issues and offer methodological tools to combat discriminatory and nationalistic tendencies in an increasingly divisive and divided world.
Learn more about CIMAM's 2021 Annual Conference: