Open Dialogues is a UK based collaboration that encourages informed, accessible critical writing and debate on contemporary art. We explore critical writing as discourse and practice in order to meet the exciting challenges of art that is live, transformative and participatory.

OPEN DIALOGUES: NEW LIFE BERLIN is a critical writing initiative exploring online and offline communities during the NEW LIFE BERLIN Festival in June 2008.

Through the OPEN DIALOUGES program, we are asking local and international writers to participate in the development of critical responses to the NEW LIFE BERLIN Festival.

In collaboration with the participating writers, OPEN DIALOGUES: NEW LIFE BERLIN will investigate the implications and role of critical writing as discourse and practice. We will explore critical writing in relation to communities of contemporary art, and develop organic responses to the Festival as it unfolds.

We are looking for writers of all ages to participate. You will need to be fluent in written and spoken English (you will also have the opportunity to write in German), have a strong interest in contemporary art practice and be willing to write accessibly for art and non-art audiences. You will also need to have a minimum of a university degree (BA) in a related field.

Writers must be able to commit to one full day’s writing workshop, two 2 hour peer-critique sessions, at least one OPEN DIALOGUES: NEW LIFE BERLIN event and to writing at least three texts throughout the festival.

OPEN DIALOGUES: NEW LIFE BERLIN is devised and organized by Mary Paterson and Rachel Lois Clapham of Open Dialogues. Open Dialogues is a UK-based critical writing initiative that supports, fosters and promotes international networks for critical debate around contemporary art.