Nicholas Brown discusses the social and political dimensions of recent work by Renzo Martens, the Artistic Director of the Institute for Human Activities. Addressing issues such as international relations and neoliberal policy, Martens’ films question the efficacy of emancipatory projects and humanitarian aid, particularly those which are based in Western society’s ethnocentrism.

The author evaluates the performance “I Promise It Will Always Be This Way,” by Jon Sasaki, on Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2008. The author thinks that Sasaki has ambivalence towards socially ameliorative art processes with cheerful anatagonism. The author believes that the event addresses the questions about Nuit Blanche's social function. The author also thinks that there is exhaustion on the performance for the sake of entertainment.

The article reviews two exhibitions presented at Witte de With in Rotterdam, Netherlands, including “Forgetting Air,” featuring works by Geoffrey Farmer, and “As Wild Boar Passes Water,” featuring works by Gareth Moore.

The article reviews the exhibition “Reconstitutions/Re-Enactments,” at DHC/Art in Montreal, Quebec. Artists featured include Nancy Davenport, Stan Douglas, Harun Farocki, Ann Lislegaard, Paul Pfeiffer, and Kerry Tribe.