About Arena Project Space

For more than four decades Arena has through its publications been engaged in a process of political and cultural interpretation. The shift towards a globalised high-tech society dominated by markets and finance has meant that Arena’s interpretative project has become increasingly complex and multi-faceted. The Arena Project Space and its program of discussions, events and exhibitions is a reflection of this.

For more than 4 decades Arena has through its publications been engaged in a process of political and cultural interpretation. The shift towards a globalised high-tech society dominated by markets and finance has meant that Arena’s interpretative project has become increasingly complex and multi faceted. The Arena Project Space and its program of discussions, events and exhibitions is a reflection of this.

Much of what was once took for granted in terms of cultures, societies, identities and values is open to challenge. To be critically engaged necessarily today means to be concerned with not only politics but with science, the environment, indigenous communities, militarization, the circulation of money and peoples, the centrality of images and information and so on.

Coming to terms with this radical transformation lies at the heart of the Arena project. Much of this shift occurs in the realm of images and sensations which are stimulated, harnessed enhanced and disciplined in contemporary work and leisure. This change in what we might think of in our cultural or aesthetic lives means the old relationship between art and politics must be rethought with a new sense of urgency and importance.

It is in this spirit that the Arena Project Space was originally developed to allow for artists to engage with this emerging situation, one where both ‘art’ and what it engages with has acquired new forms and meanings, as well as new political dimensions.

The arena project space has developed into a mixed-use space, hosting social gatherings, film screenings, discussions, lectures and exhibitions. It is not a classical gallery space, but rather a dynamic place where different aspects of discussion, thought, art and community can connect. There is also office and desk space currently being used by a variety of individuals and groups.