Killing Culture

Is truly dangerous art still possible?

Artists shape the cultural narrative, reflecting and refracting society through story, song and experience. But what happens when that narrative is policed, priced and put up for sale? The real economy behind art is attention, risk, backlash, patronage and platforms.

Artistic freedom may be celebrated, but genuine dissent often comes at a cost. When institutions, algorithms, funders and ideologues help determine what is acceptable, the space for creative risk begins to shrink. This session explores whether art can still challenge power when culture itself has become a battleground.

Maria Alyokhina [RUS]: political activist, artist and founding member of the Russian protest group Pussy Riot, author of Riot Days and Political Girl: Life and Fate in Russia.

Brook Andrew: artist, curator and writer grounded in his perspective as a Wiradjuri and Celtic person from Australia; Enterprise Professor Interdisciplinary Practice and Director Reimagining Museums and Collections at the University of Melbourne.

John Cameron Mitchell [USA]: writer/director/star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with film and TV credits including Shortbus, Rabbit Hole, Girls and The Sandman.

Salman Rushdie [USA/UK]: author of twenty-two books including Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses; his most recent book, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award.

Chaired by Sisonke Msimang: South African-Australian writer, activist and political analyst, author of Always Another Country and The Resurrection of Winnie Mandela.