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The presentation of visiting curators Arzu Yayintas and Pieter Vermeulen was held at the Biblioteca Provinciale de Gemmis on the thirteenth of May at noon. The discussion began with introductions and project leader Viviana Checchia provided a brief description of vessel’s background and mission. The artistic potential of the Apulia region was mentioned by both Checchia and curator Viktor Misiano who divides his residence between Moscow and Bari.

Misiano expressed his support of vessel and belief in its vision of facilitating artistic circulation in the Apulia region and improving the accessibility and promotion of Puglisi artists. In response to this position, members of the audience spoke out in support of the existing efforts to effectively develop Apulia’s rich cultural territory and described the process as possessing an ongoing presence in the region. The tireless struggle of the existing art community has greatly contributed to the present-day potential of the Apulia art scene, and its readiness to serve as a platform for projects such as vessel.

In providing context for his own curatorial work, Misiano discussed the past art scene which was focused on the two extremes of Paris and New York and functioned in a state of prejudice towards the then-communistic East. Checchia’s project---conducted in partnership with the Ph.D. program at Loughborough University---aims to invite curators on an “East/West” basis, 1989 serves as the starting point for investigation. It was agreed that Eastern Europe, although once ignored and marginalized, has been rapidly establishing itself as a new and innovative frontier in the art world. Apulia shares the same experience of marginalization and both Checchia and Misiano expressed hope for it to follow in a similar pattern of success.

Vermeulen and Yayintas each spoke of their past curatorial projects and backgrounds. Following the presentations, Checchia proposed each visiting curator provide an answer to the keystone question: “What is a curator?” Vermeulen began with a reference to the Latin root curate, and suggested that this “care” is at the base of all curatorial work, and a great responsibility. In addition, he mentioned the necessity of personal reflection and above all, the function of a curator as a possible mediator figure between the artist and the art world. In short, the curator is to facilitate profitable connections. Yayintas believes a curator to be one who discovers the new; both by facilitating the production of new works and providing a way of experiencing a different vision and perspective through art while affording the public this opportunity as well. The meeting was concluded with a universal agreement on the certainty of three facts: the fluid and indefinable nature of the curator, the symbiotic relationship of curator and artist and the necessity for a curator to operate in a state of constant reflection, change and reevaluation.