Artnauts
Artnauts is an artist collective founded in 1996 by Dr. George Rivera with the mission of using visual art as a tool for activism and global engagement; by connecting artists around the world, the collective addresses social and political issues through exhibitions and creative interventions. The name Artnauts, a fusion of art and astronauts, reflects their commitment to exploring “uncharted territory” by pushing beyond the confines of the traditional art world. Since its inception, more than 350 artists have participated in over 300 exhibitions across 26 countries.
The collective is rooted in the belief that art should serve society rather than be produced solely for its own sake. Inspired by Joseph Beuys’s concept of social sculpture, the collective emphasizes dialogue and action as central to its work. Artnauts aims to amplify marginalized voices and foster conversations about the shared human experience by exhibiting in a politically charged and historically significant location.
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Resources
“Artnauts Collective | Uncanny Times: Looking Back, Looking Forward.” Seidel City, 25 Sept.–13 Nov. 2021, www.seidelcity.com/artnauts-uncanny-times.
“Artnauts: Diaspora and Movement.” Granary Arts, 10 Feb.–13 May 2016, granaryarts.org/artnauts-diaspora-and-movement.
Boyd, Kealey. “Artnauts Founder George Rivera Reflects on 25 Years of Art and Activism.” Hyperallergic, 9 Oct. 2022, hyperallergic.com/745201/artnauts-founder-george-rivera-interview/.
Crogan, Alice. “On the Road with the Artnauts in Ireland.” College of Arts & Media, University of Colorado Denver, 4 June 2024, artsandmedia.ucdenver.edu/college-of-arts-and-media/homepage-news-details/for-publication/on-the-road-with-the-artnauts-in-ireland.
More Information
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