How to protect a radical idea?

La Centrale galerie Powerhouse is already celebrating its 50th anniversary. Fifty years, spent morphing and moving through evolving feminisms and the social issues that have shaped its mandate. Eager to renew with our grassroots origins and to redefine what a socially committed artist-run centre looks like, the centre hosted last May the symposium How to protect a radical idea?. This  three weeks-long series of events welcomed the reflections, movements and voices of more than twenty-five artists, curators, cultural workers, and poets. In collaborating with Esse, we wish for these events to last beyond the gallery walls. This partnership emerged from a shared belief in Esse’s commitment to amplifying the voices of artists and cultural workers from diverse communities, and in its capacity to cultivate a vibrant, critical discursive space.

Begin, seated in a circle around a table.¹ 1 - Many of the words in this text are drawn from those of speakers at several events, all part of La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse’s 50th anniversary symposium, How to Protect a Radical Idea?: “Gossip and the Whisper Network: A Panel Discussion featuring Sanaa Humayun, Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet, and Julia Rose Sutherland” (La Centrale, May 17, 2025); “Radicalities and Transformations: A Performative Workshop Facilitated by Holly Timpener and Sylvie Tourangeau” (La Centrale, May 21, 2025); “Empathy Practices: A Panel Discussion Featuring eunice bélidor, Annie Wong, Raven Spiratos, and Avalon Mott” (La Centrale, May 24, 2025); “ART HOTLINE: A Public Conversation Featuring Hugo Dufour and Kriss Li” (La Centrale, May 25, 2025); “The Power of Saying No and Resting: A Keynote Address by Victoria Stanton” (La Centrale, May 31, 2025). In the notes, I cite individual sources. Begin, crouched in varied positions on the ground. Begin by introducing yourselves using only gestures. Begin with a twinge in your left hip and sore feet. Begin with empathy, begin with skepticism, begin with curiosity. Begin with a question in mind.