Art of Democracy
Celebrating Contemporary Fine Art, Participation and Society
Meet the Protagonists
Art is inevitably dialogue. It might provoke, appear strange, even inaccessible. Art is Democracy.
Helfried Carl, Founder of European Capital of Democracy
Even the smallest action and the quietest word may open up new procedures for implementing democracy in our everyday lives.
Oliver Hangl, performance/media artist, curator, urban activist
To open doors for art and political discourse: That is what I want. What I do is called “Art of Democracy Festival”
Dunja Ganser, Senior Consultant and Cultural Manager
We have become a society that finds comfort in letting others make decisions for us. I believe that reclaiming responsibility for our actions and sharing that responsibility with others is essential for building a better society.
Aldo Giannotti, artist
A 360 degree point of view and sense of listening – that is Democracy.
Gerd Kühr, Composer and Conductor.
Art is inevitably dialogue. It might provoke, appear strange, even inaccessible. Art is Democracy.
Helfried Carl, Founder of European Capital of Democracy Even the smallest action and the quietest word may open up new procedures for implementing democracy in our everyday lives.
Oliver Hangl, performance/media artist, curator, urban activist To open doors for art and political discourse: That is what I want. What I do is called “Art of Democracy Festival”
Dunja Ganser, Senior Consultant and Cultural Manager We have become a society that finds comfort in letting others make decisions for us. I believe that reclaiming responsibility for our actions and sharing that responsibility with others is essential for building a better society.
Aldo Giannotti, artist
A 360 degree point of view and sense of listening – that is Democracy.
Gerd Kühr, Composer and Conductor.
Vision
At the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD), we believe that art is a powerful tool to inspire engagement and foster meaningful dialogue around democracy.
Bound by neither geography, nor language, artists can reflect on what is happening right now, and on what moves all of us. This often allows them to foretell what the future will bring and to build bridges where developments in society have opened an abyss.
Art becomes a catalyst for breaking down barriers, fostering dialogue between diverse fields. By creating a space where diverse voices and viewpoints converge, the project supports a more engaged public and stimulates innovative solutions, addressing the interconnected nature of democratic participation and pressing global challenges such as the climate crisis.
Project Highlights
Art of Democracy in Vienna - European Capital of Democracy 2025
Under the label ‘Art of Democracy’, art is making its contribution to Vienna’s Democracy year. The focus and aim is to promote democratic engagement and dialogue. Nives Widauer is currently working intensively with the Topic heroines of Democracy.
Our projects combine democracy and art, giving artists a strong platform to showcase their work.
Expressions of Democracy November 2024
Expressions of Democracy is a participatory art initiative by the European Capital of Democracy NPO, aimed at inspiring engagement and fostering dialogue around democracy through immersive artistic interventions. This project took place alongside the closing event for Barcelona’s tenure as the first-ever European Capital of Democracy and was showcased at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) from November 5–7, 2024.
The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) is the world’s premier event for urban innovation, technology, and civic engagement. Held annually in Barcelona, the expo attracts over 20,000 attendees from 140+ countries, bringing together thought leaders, professionals, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions to global challenges. The event served as a dynamic platform for Expressions of Democracy, offering an opportunity to engage a diverse, international audience in conversations about democratic values.
Supported by the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES) and the SCEWC, the project integrated art, civic engagement, and cross-sectoral discussions into a global platform. For further details on funding and expenses, please refer to the budget report.
Aldo Giannotti
Aldo Giannotti (AUT/IT), artist, http://www.aldogiannotti.com/ Drawing plays a central role in his artistic practice and is a medium to highlight socio-political concepts and processes. Aldo uses various forms of expression such as drawing, photography, video, music, installation, and choreography for his site-specific works.
Contract & Sculpture by Aldo Giannotti
A two-part intervention featuring site-specific drawings and temporary sculptures that challenged conventional ideas of equality and community responsibility. Additionally, Aldo Giannotti created the poster “Together We Stand” specifically for the Expressions of Democracy project, tying together the themes of the two interventions and serving as an overarching visual representation of the project.
Oliver Hangl
Oliver Hangl (AUT), performance and media artist, curator, and urbanist, https://www.oliverhangl.com/ In his urban interventions, the Austrian artist Oliver Hangl confronts the human being and the environment, and pushes the boundaries between physical and psychological spaces, playfully connecting both worlds.
Alphabet of Democracy by Oliver Hangl
A participatory intervention inviting attendees to contribute democracy-related words or concepts for each letter of the alphabet
Art of Democracy on Tour 2022
Our projects combine democracy and art, giving artists a strong platform to showcase their work.
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Join Art of Democracy
“The best art is not made for the audience, it is made with them.“
The team behind it
Miriam, with a background in political science and public affairs, leads initiatives like the Innovation in Politics Awards and ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference, promoting collaboration and societal progress. Together, they foster impactful change.