On Collecteurs's Substance 100_the top artists and activists contributing to global change

Collecteurs—the world’s first digital museum of private collections—is pleased to announce SUBSTANCE 100, a new, annual list that outlines a diverse array of artists, activists, collectives, movements and organizations making a substantial change in the world. By engaging a community of activists from the art world and beyond, SUBSTANCE 100 raises the question, “what is the purpose of art in the 21st century?”

SUBSTANCE 100 is produced with the belief that the art world can generate productive social activism now and for generations to come. Focused on the power of change, instead of power itself, SUBSTANCE 100 is neither exclusive nor concerned with rank. It celebrates the world’s most conscientious individuals and collectives, who are not afraid to challenge pre-existing models and enact social, environmental and political change for a more positive reality.

SUBSTANCE 100 accepted public nominations from March 15th to 23rd, 2020. A diverse panel of judges consisting of Nástio Mosquito, Adam Broomberg, Jessica Oralkan, Evrim Oralkan, Adam Carr and Àngels Miralda Tena from within the Collecteurs family have selected the finalists.

The goal of SUBSTANCE 100 is to inspire others, through example, to impart social, environmental and socio-political change through their own artistic endeavors. The intention of SUBSTANCE 100 isn’t to be exclusive, nor is SUBSTANCE 100 concerned with ranking. SUBSTANCE 100 is focused on the power of change, rather than power itself. Ultimately, SUBSTANCE 100 hopes to refocus the function of art in the twenty-first century and believes the art world is capable, if not responsible, for leading social activists now and for generations to come.

We will be presenting the list in groups to make it easier to digest. First up, we have an artist and filmmaker who explores the experiences of migrant diasporas globally; a collaboration by curators that considers how small-scale institutions can develop sustainable models; an artist’s collaboration with a hip-hop group to defy gentrification of historic neighborhoods; a coalition of artists standing up for those whose lives and livelihoods are placed at risk by predatory development; an institution facilitating the safe passage and hosting of persecuted artists; an artist exploring the effects of globalization and colonialism on youth in the Middle East; a curator exploring the medium of photography through an anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist lens; an artist focused on individual and collective experience and the overlap between the two; a filmmaker documenting the imprisonment of a journalist in an island prison for asylum-seekers heading to Australia; and an organization that provides humanitarian assistance to migrants in need. And here are the names…https://www.collecteurs.com/interview/substance-100

https://ocula.com/magazine/art-news/collecteurs-announces-substance-100/